Healthy Homes Assessment Newlands

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Newlands rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property and determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about the work required. needs to be completed and offer an evaluation report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes associated fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties we are fully 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, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Newlands rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be done inside of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property which could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be current when the tenancy agreement is signed. It must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It is crucial to be aware that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with huge fines, in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and arrange to have a house inspection performed on your rental property.

Get the full description of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Newlands, and research has shown that these rental homes tend to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who reported four or more major housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Improving the quality of Newlands rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and living because of illnesses. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping within Newlands rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss the Newlands Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Newlands

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside households. A cold house is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a gap or hole, then it’s most likely a gap or crack that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out within the home require sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as much as possible.

There is no require to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement of the structure when the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will check every window and door during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is important for healthy homes

Heating Newlands

Rental properties in Newlands require a reliable source of heat that can warm the main or largest living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the existing permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it should include a thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source such as an air conditioner, it may require an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Newlands

Every living space of the rental property should contain at minimum one open doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

A ventilation standard is all about recognising that dried air can be easier to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or skylight requirements to be able to open up to the outside, but remain set in an opening position to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your property with a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture generating item will need appropriate extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is a healthy home

Insulation Newlands

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory for all rent homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation is up to the new quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and it will make more easy to allow the household to retain the heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 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

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s often what you don’t see that could become a major issue that can cause the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the building. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Newlands

Property rental areas that are affected by Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Newlands include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Newlands for Rental Properties

There are many things to check when conducting the house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the Tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental property home assessment.