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 July 2021? Landlords must ensure 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 rentals 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 can assess your rental property to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks that needs to be done and offer an assessment report that includes all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes associated fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties and are 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, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Newtown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be completed by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is letting the property out It could also 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 agreement is executed, and it is updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It is important to be aware that a landlord with several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in significant fines and still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have a home assessment performed for your rental property.

See the full details for this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Newtown, and research shows us that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who reported at least four major housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Newtown rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to diseases. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping within Newtown rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss having a Newtown Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Newtown

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A cold house is more expensive to heat, which completed jobs in wasting money and energy.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or a clear draught from a crack or a gap or crack, then it’s most likely a gap or crack that needs sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out from the home need sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t require to block up intentional 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 as the house heats and cools, to allow them to be closed and opened rather than securing. We will test all doors and windows as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for healthy homes

Heating Newtown

Newtown rental properties require a reliable source of heating that can heat the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top-up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it should include an thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source like an air conditioner, it might just require an upgrade to ensure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard as they are either costly, not affordable to run, or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Newtown

Every living space in a rental home must include at least one open door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about acknowledging that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore are not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or skylight needs at least open to the outside and remain closed, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your home that has a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will require appropriate extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Newtown

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation meets the new quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and will also make much easier to the house to hold heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

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

Newtown Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow, and stop it from coming inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s usually not apparent that it could be a huge problem that can cause damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water, and ground water. This includes 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.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring 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

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Newtown include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Newtown for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things you should look for in an home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an ruling on tenancy services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist assistance, get in touch today and book your rental property house evaluation.