Healthy Homes Assessment Newlands

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords must make sure their Newlands rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be completed and provide an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, and are completely qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Newlands rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on the Newlands rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as the one who is letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It must be updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s also important to note that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved only for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have a house evaluation performed for your rental property.

Get the full description of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Newlands, and research has shown that these rental houses tend to be older, colder, have less effective heating and have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative health results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who report at least four key issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

Improve the standard of Newlands rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and living due to illness. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught stopping on Newlands rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Newlands

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in houses. A cold house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a hole or gap that is, it’s likely a crack or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into the house need seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as possible.

There is no require to block gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement within the structure when the household is heated and cools in order to let them be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will inspect all doors and windows during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are 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|| largest or main| principal or the biggest} living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top-up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it should have an thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source such as the heat pump, it could need a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Newlands

Each liveable space in a rental property has to contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about understanding the fact that dry air will be much easier to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or Skylight needs for them to be in a position to open up to the outside and remain set in an opening position, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your house that houses shower, bath, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will need adequate extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Newlands

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory for all rent houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation is in line with the new quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and will also make an easier task to the house to retain warmth.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values required for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

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

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Newlands Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is typically not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble and cause damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between the floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from entering the structure. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Find out all the 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 by the Healthy Homes Standards in Newlands include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Newlands for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things you should look for when conducting a house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property house assessment.