Healthy Homes Assessment Newtown

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure that their Newtown rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects 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 the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks which requirements to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re completely certified to evaluate 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 Newtown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be finished inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Newtown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they will receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct when the tenancy contract is executed, and it is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It is also crucial to note that landlords who manage multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are given for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct a home inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households rent the property in New Zealand and Newtown, and research has shown that these rental houses tend to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. In addition, people who have reported at least four major housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Improving the standard of Newtown rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and living due to diseases. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping for Newtown rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Newtown Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Newtown

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in households. A cold house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole, then it’s likely a crack or crack that needs sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out of the home need sealing. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated whenever possible.

You don’t need to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure as the household warms and cools so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will inspect every window and door during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Newtown

Newtown rental properties need to have a stable source of heating which can warm the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must include an thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source, such as a heat pump, then it could need an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

See the full details on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Newtown

Every living space of a rental property has to have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

A ventilation standard is all about understanding the fact that dry air will be easier to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and therefore do not require an opening door or window.

Each door, window or skylight needs at least to open to the outside and remain fixed in an open position in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will need proper extractor fan systems that can be vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

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

A warm dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Newtown

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory to all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation is up to this new quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and will also make more easy to allow the house to hold heat.

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

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

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

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Newtown Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s frequently those things that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble and cause damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between your flooring and the ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Newtown

The areas of rental property that are affected through Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Newtown include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Newtown for Rental Properties

There are many concerns you should look for in the house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenant solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert advice, call now and schedule your rental property house evaluation.