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 new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work that needs to be completed, and provide an evaluation report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, as well as completely qualified for each of 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, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Newtown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be finished within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any 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 renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is signed. It should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It is also crucial to remember that landlords with multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and ask us to conduct a house assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households rent in New Zealand and Newtown, and research indicates that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who experience at least four major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Improving the standard of Newtown rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and living because of illnesses. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less costs of 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, as well Draught Stopping on Newtown rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Newtown

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside homes. A damp home will cost more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

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

What are the most unreasonable 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 or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or hole that requirements sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit into your house need seals. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched as far as possible.

There is no need to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow movement of the building when the house gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect all windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Newtown

Newtown rental properties need to have a stable source of heating which can warm the living space to at least 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it must include a thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a central heating source, like an air conditioner, it might just require an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Newtown

Every living space of the rental property should have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

It is the ventilation quality is all about understanding the fact that dry air is less difficult to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not living spaces and therefore are not need an opening door or window.

Every window, door or skylight requirements to be able to open to the outside while remaining closed to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your home that has a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture-producing item will require suitable extractor fans which are vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Find out all the details about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Newtown

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement in all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation is in line with the new standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and it will make much easier to allow the home to keep the heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.

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

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Newtown Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface or ground water, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s typically those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem that can cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from getting into the property. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Newtown

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

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Newtown for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to check during the home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental properties house assessment.