Healthy Homes Assessment Newtown

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The areas 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 satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be done and provide an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes associated fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties we are completely qualified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Newtown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be finished inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Newtown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant can be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any 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 which could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is completed, and should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It is also crucial to remember that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in large fines in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct an home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Newtown, and research indicates that rental houses tend to be older, colder, have less efficient heating and have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who experience at least four major house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Enhancing the quality of Newtown rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control on Newtown rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Newtown

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside homes. A cold home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a gap or hole or crack, then it is likely a crack or crack that requirements sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into your home require to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

You don’t require to block holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure as the house warms and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will examine all windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Newtown

Newtown rental properties must have a fixed heating source that can heat the living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require 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 to be acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it requirements to have a thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source such as heat pumps, it could require an update to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the quality since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Newtown

Each living space within the rental property should have at least one opening door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

The ventilation standard is all about understanding the fact that dried air can be much easier to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not living spaces and therefore are not require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or skylight requirements at least of opening to the outside and remain set in an opening position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home with a bath, shower cooker or any other water-generating appliance will require suitable extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is an ideal home

Insulation Newtown

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory on all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation is in line with current quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and it will make an easier task to allow the house to keep warmth.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the quality of insulation.

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

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

Newtown Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water, and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to remove rainwater, storm water, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a place to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from getting into the building. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Newtown

Rental property areas affected through Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Newtown include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Newtown for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to check during an house assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenant services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert assistance, get in touch today and book your rental properties house evaluation.