Healthy Homes Assessment Newtown

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work needed to be completed. needs to be done and offer the report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re completely certified to assess 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, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Newtown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be completed within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 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.

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as being the person who is letting the property and it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be current when the tenancy contract is executed, and it should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It’s also crucial to be aware that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct a home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Newtown, and research has shown that these rental houses tend to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than the houses of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who experience at least four major housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Improve the standard of Newtown rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and living because of illnesses. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping for Newtown rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Newtown

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in homes. A cold home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap, then it is likely a crack or an opening that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out within your house require the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as much as imaginable.

There is no require to block holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement of the structure as the home gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will check the windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Newtown

Rental properties in Newtown should have a permanent heating source that can warm the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The heating source needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need 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 under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat source, it should be equipped with the thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source such as a heat pump, then it might just need some additional energy to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the quality because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Newtown

Every living space in the rental property should have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

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

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t liveable , and thus don’t require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or skylight needs at least to open to the outside while remaining closed in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will need appropriate extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Newtown

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement in all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and it will make an easier task to the household to retain warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

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

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

Newtown Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s typically what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to have efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Newtown

Property rental areas that are affected through Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Newtown include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Newtown for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to look over in the house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a Tenancy services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental properties home evaluation.