Healthy Homes Assessment Newlands

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure their Newlands rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

• Draught Stopping
• Heating
• Insulation
• Ventilation
• Moisture Ingress & Drainage

We can evaluate your rental property and determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be completed, and offer an assessment report that includes all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, as well as fully certified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new or renewed contract is signed on a Newlands rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be completed inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new or renewed lease is entered into on the Newlands rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they will receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the lease contract as the person letting the property out and it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It is important to keep in mind that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are reserved only for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and arrange to have a home evaluation performed for your rental property.

See the full details for the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households rent from New Zealand and Newlands, and research suggests that rental homes are likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who experience at least four key issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Improve the quality of Newlands rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and daily life due to illness. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught stopping within Newlands rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about having a Newlands Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Newlands

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in households. A damp house costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a crack or a gap, then it’s probably a gap or crack that needs sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out into your house need the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated as far as possible.

There is no require to block off gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement of the building as the home warms and cools in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will inspect every window and door as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Newlands

Rental properties in Newlands must have a fixed heating source which can warm the main or largest living room to at least 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it should be equipped with an thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might just require an update to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Newlands

Each liveable space in a rental property has to have at least one opening doors or windows to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about recognising the fact that dry air is much easier to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t liveable and do not require an opening door or window.

Each door, window or Skylight needs to have the ability of opening to the outside, and stay closed in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your property with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will need appropriate extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is a healthy house

Insulation Newlands

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement for all rent homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation is up to current quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, as well as making it easier to the home to retain the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Newlands Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go and to prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually not apparent that it can become a big problem and end up causing damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water is able to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Newlands

The areas of rental property that are affected to Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Newlands include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Newlands for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to be able to examine in the house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For expert advice get in touch now and schedule your rental properties home evaluation.