Healthy Homes Assessment Newlands

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that 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 any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work required. requirements to be done and offer an evaluation report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re fully qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Newlands rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be done inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is also crucial to note that a landlord with multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are reserved for the most serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and make arrangements to have an home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households in New Zealand and Newlands, and research shows us that these rental houses tend to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more major issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the quality of Newlands rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long run.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Newlands

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in households. A humid home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or a clear draught from a hole or gap that is, it’s likely a crack or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into your home need seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as much as imaginable.

There is no need to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement within the building when the household warms and cools so that they can still be opened and closed rather than securing. We will inspect all doors and windows during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is important for well-being homes

Heating Newlands

Rental properties in Newlands need to have a stable heating source that can warm the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the current installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to top up by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it should have a thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like the heat pump, it might need an update to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Newlands

Each living space within the rental property should include at least one open window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is about recognising the fact that dry air is more easy to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or Skylight needs to be able to open up to the outside, but remain set in an opening position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your house that houses a bath, shower cooker or any other humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems that vent towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is a healthy house

Insulation Newlands

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and it will make an easier task to allow the house to hold heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation can withstand 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 – the remainder 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Newlands Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow, and prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s frequently not apparent that it could become a major issue, causing damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to remove rainwater, storm water, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the structure. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor 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

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Newlands for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns you should look for in an house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to the 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, call now and schedule your rental property home evaluation.