Healthy Homes Assessment Newlands

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 their Newlands rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about the work needed to be completed. needs to be done, and offer an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes relevant fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re completely certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Newlands rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be completed within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Newlands rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they can receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It must be updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it is finished.

It is important to note that a landlord with several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for the most serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct a home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Newlands, and research has shown that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and have lower quality than the homes of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as heart diseases. In addition, people who experience four or more key home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Improve the quality of Newlands rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of illness. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping on Newlands rental properties.

Start now and call about having a Newlands Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Newlands

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within homes. A damp home costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap, then it’s most likely a gap or crack that requirements sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out into the house need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped as much as possible.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the household warms and cools in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will check all windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is important for healthy houses

Heating Newlands

Rental properties in Newlands need to have a stable heating source 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 recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat source, it needs to include the thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a central heating source like a heat pump, then it may require an update to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unsafe to run.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Newlands

Each liveable space in a rental property must include at least one open door or window to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about understanding the fact that dry air will be easier to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore don’t need an opening door or window.

Every window, door or Skylight needs at least open to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your home with shower, bath cooker or any other humidity-generating items will need proper extractor fan systems which are vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Newlands

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory for all rent homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure the insulation meets this new quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and it will make it easier to allow the household to hold the heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a measure of how well 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 – the rest part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 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.

Newlands Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the inside It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s frequently the concerns you don’t notice that can become a big problem, causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from rising into the property. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Newlands

Rental property areas affected with Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Newlands include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Newlands for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to be able to examine in the house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenant solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental property house assessment.