Healthy Homes Assessment Newlands

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Newlands rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by 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 whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks that needs to be done and provide an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes related fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re completely qualified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Newlands rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be finished within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Newlands rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and should be maintained through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It’s also crucial to be aware that landlords with multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and arrange to have an home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

Check out the complete details of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households rent in New Zealand and Newlands, and research suggests that rental houses are likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and have lower quality than the homes of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who reported at least four key house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Newlands rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and living because of illness. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping for Newlands rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss getting a Newlands Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Newlands

Draughts may lead to less temperature in households. A damp home costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a crack or a gap and you can feel it, it’s probably a gap or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out of the home require to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent possible.

There is no require to block off gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement within the building as the home heats and cools, in order to let them be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will examine every window and door during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for healthy homes

Heating Newlands

Newlands rental properties should have a permanent source of heat which can warm the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to top up with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it should be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source such as an air conditioner, it might need a top up to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Newlands

Each liveable space in the rental property should have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to take moisture away.

The ventilation quality is all about recognising how dry air will be less difficult to heat and that a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus don’t require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or the skylight needs to have the ability open to the outside, but remain closed in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home that has a bath, shower cooker or any other water-generating appliance will need proper extractor fan systems that vent out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Newlands

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement to all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation is in line with the new standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, as well as making more easy for the home to hold warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 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 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Newlands Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s often those things that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem and cause damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to have efficient drainage to remove storm water, surface water and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from entering the property. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Newlands

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through the Healthy Homes Standard in Newlands include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Newlands for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to look over in an house review to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today to book your rental property home evaluation.