Healthy Homes Assessment Newtown

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work which needs to be completed and offer an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes associated fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, as well as completely certified for both 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, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Newtown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on the Newtown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out which could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it is updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that a landlord with multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down only for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct a home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households homes in New Zealand and Newtown, and research suggests that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who experience at least four key issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Newtown rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and living due to diseases. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping within Newtown rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Newtown

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within houses. A humid house will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting money and energy.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap and you can feel it, it is likely to be a gap or crack that requirements sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit of the home need to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched as far as imaginable.

You don’t require to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement of the building as the household heats and cools, in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will examine every window and door as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Newtown

Newtown rental properties require a reliable source of heat that is able to heat the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump then it must have an thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source like an air conditioner, it may require a top up to ensure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Newtown

Every living space of a rental property has to contain at minimum one open door or window to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

The ventilation quality is all about acknowledging that dried air can be much easier to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable and do not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or skylight requirements to have the ability of opening to the outside, and stay at an open angle in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your property with a bath, shower and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is an ideal house

Insulation Newtown

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required on all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is in line with this new quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, as well as making it easier to allow the household to keep the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder area 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 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Newtown Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the inside; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is typically the concerns you don’t notice that could be a huge problem that can cause the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to be equipped with effective drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and the soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from rising into the building. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor 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 Newtown

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Newtown for Rental Properties

There are many things to be able to examine in the house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenant solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For expert advice, call now and schedule your rental properties home evaluation.