Healthy Homes Assessment Newlands

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the 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 any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about the work required. requirements to be done and provide the report with all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, we are fully qualified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Newlands rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be taken care of within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who provide a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It is also important to be aware that landlords who have multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for severe breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct an house assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Newlands, and research shows us that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who report at least four key house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Improving the standard of Newlands rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to diseases. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Newlands

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in houses. A damp house costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap and you are able to feel it, it is likely to be a gap or hole that needs sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into your house require the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated as far as possible.

There is no need to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement of the structure when the home gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be closed and opened rather than securing. We will inspect every window and door in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Newlands

Newlands rental properties require a reliable source of heating that can heat the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to top up with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it must be equipped with the thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source, like the heat pump, it might just require an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Newlands

Each living space within a rental property must have at least one opening door or window to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation quality is about recognising how dried air can be less difficult to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t living spaces and therefore don’t require an opening window or door.

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

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your home with shower, bath cooker or any other water-generating appliance will require adequate extractor fans which are vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Newlands

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory to all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure the insulation meets the new quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and will also make more easy to allow the house to retain the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest area 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 (underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Newlands Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water and also stop it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is typically those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem that can cause the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to remove rainwater, storm water and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between floorboards and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the 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

The areas of rental property that are affected by 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 you should look for when conducting the home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenancy services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert advice get in touch now and schedule your rental properties home assessment.