Healthy Homes Assessment Newtown

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords must ensure their Newtown rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to check whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work that requirements to be completed, and offer a report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes associated fines.

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, and are 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, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Newtown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new or renewed lease is entered into on a Newtown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant may be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as being the person who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It is also crucial to note that landlords with multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for severe violations. Those who have six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

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

Find the full information on the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Newtown, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who report four or more key issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Newtown rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and living due to illnesses. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Newtown

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside homes. A cold house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it is likely a crack or hole that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into your home need to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t require to cover up holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow movement of the structure as the house heats and cools, to allow them to be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will inspect every window and door during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are important for healthy homes

Heating Newtown

Newtown rental properties must have a fixed heating source that can warm the largest or main living space to at least 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it requirements to be equipped with a thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source, like an air conditioner, it might just require an upgrade to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the quality as they are either costly, not affordable to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Newtown

Every living space in a rental house must include at least one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about recognising how dry air will be much easier to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or the skylight needs for them to be in a position of opening to the outside while remaining closed to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your property with shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will require proper extractor fan systems that can be vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Newtown

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement to all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation is in line with this new standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and will also make it easier for the home to hold the heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the 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 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of 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 but you must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go and prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is often those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem that can cause damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between your floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from rising into the structure. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Newtown

Rental property areas affected through The Healthy Homes Standards in Newtown include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Newtown for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to look over when conducting an home review to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today to book your rental properties house assessment.