Healthy Homes Assessment Newlands

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Newlands rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

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

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

We will assess your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of any work needed to be completed. requirements to be completed and offer the report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re completely qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Newlands rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

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

In addition, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease contract as the person renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current when the tenancy contract is completed, and should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It is also crucial to remember that a landlord who have multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for the most serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and ask us to conduct a home assessment performed on your rental property.

Get the full description of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households from New Zealand and Newlands, and research suggests that rental houses are likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and have lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as heart diseases. Additionally, those who reported at least four key house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the quality of Newlands rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping in Newlands rental properties.

Start now and call about receiving a Newlands Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Newlands

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in households. A damp house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap, then it is likely a crack or an opening that needs sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out into your home require the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t need to block off gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow movement of the building as the home warms and cools in order to let them be opened and closed rather than securing. We will test the windows and doors as part of an 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 to ensure well-being homes

Heating Newlands

Newlands rental properties must have a fixed source of heating that can heat the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to top up with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it must be equipped with a thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. In most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a central heating source like an air conditioner, it could require an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality as they are either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Newlands

Each living space within a rental property must have at least one openable window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about recognising how the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or Skylight needs to be able open to the outside and remain fixed in an open position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your house that houses a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will need suitable extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Newlands

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory to all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure the insulation meets current standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and also makes more easy for the house to hold heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest 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 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Newlands Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow and stop it from coming inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s frequently not apparent that it could be a huge problem and end up causing damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Newlands

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

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Newlands for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to check during a home review to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a tenant services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today to book your rental properties home assessment.