Healthy Homes Assessment Newlands

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks that requirements to be done, and provide a report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes associated fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, as well as completely certified 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, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Newlands rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they could be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It is crucial to remember that landlords with multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved only for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have an home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households in New Zealand and Newlands, and research shows us that these rental homes tend to be colder, older and have less effective heating and tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who experience four or more key housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Newlands rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living due to illnesses. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught stopping for Newlands rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Newlands

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in houses. A draughty house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a hole or gap that is, it’s likely a crack or crack that needs sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out into the home require sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped as far as imaginable.

You don’t need to block holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement of the structure when the home is heated and cools so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will check all windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Newlands

Newlands rental properties must have a fixed source of heat that can warm the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it must include the thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. For most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source, such as an air conditioner, it might need an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Newlands

Each living space within a rental property has to have at least one opening door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about acknowledging how dry air is more easy to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t liveable , and thus are not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open up to the outside, but remain closed, allowing the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your home that has a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture generating item will require adequate extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Newlands

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory on all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and also makes an easier task to allow the home to retain the heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

• 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 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.

Newlands Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go and to prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is frequently those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem, causing damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Newlands

Property rental areas that are affected through the Healthy Homes Standard in Newlands include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Newlands for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to look over when conducting the home assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental property house assessment.