Healthy Homes Assessment Newlands

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Newlands rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work that needs to be done and offer a report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, and are completely qualified for each of 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 tenancy is signed on a Newlands rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be done by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Newlands rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who provide a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is completed, and must be updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s also crucial to be aware that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are given only for serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and request an house assessment performed on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Newlands, and research has shown that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who reported four or more key issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Improve the quality of Newlands rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to diseases. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control within Newlands rental properties.

Start now and call about getting a Newlands Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Newlands

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside houses. A humid home will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a hole or gap or crack, then it is most likely a gap or hole that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out of your home need the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated whenever imaginable.

There is no need to cover up holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement within the building when the home warms and cools to allow them to be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will inspect all doors and windows in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Newlands

Newlands rental properties must have a fixed source of heat that is able to heat the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, then it must be equipped with a thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source, like an air conditioner, it may require an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Newlands

Each liveable space in a rental property has to have at least one opening door or window to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about understanding the fact that dried air can be much easier to heat and that a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable and do not need an opening window or door.

Every window, door or the skylight needs to have the ability of opening to the outside, and stay at an open angle in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your home that has a bath, shower and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will require adequate extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Newlands

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required on all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation meets this new standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, as well as making more easy to allow the household to retain heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Newlands Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is typically what you don’t see that can become a big problem and cause damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between the floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from getting into the property. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Newlands

Rental property areas affected through The Healthy Homes Standard in Newlands include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Newlands for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to be able to examine during a home assessment to see if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an Tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today and book your rental property house assessment.