Healthy Homes Assessment Newlands

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must ensure their Newlands rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any 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 will assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks which requirements to be done, and provide the report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes associated fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, and are 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, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Newlands rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be completed by the end of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it is updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s crucial to remember that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for severe breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in huge fines, in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and request a home inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Newlands, and research suggests that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who experience four or more major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Improving the standard of Newlands rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and daily life due to health issues. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping within 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 are a major cause of dropping temperatures within houses. A draughty home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a gap or hole and you can feel it, it’s probably a gap or hole that needs sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out from the home require seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as imaginable.

You don’t require to block off gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement of the structure as the house heats and cools, to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will test all windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are important for healthy houses

Heating Newlands

Rental properties in Newlands need to have a stable heating source which can warm the principal or the biggest living room to at least 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 and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether your current fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat source, it requirements to be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source such as the heat pump, it could need an update to ensure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Newlands

Each living space within a rental property has to contain at minimum one open door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

The ventilation quality is all about acknowledging that dried air can be more easy to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or the skylight needs to have the ability of opening to the outside, and stay set in an opening position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your property with shower, bath cooker or any other moisture generating item will need appropriate extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Newlands

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory on all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation meets this new standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, as well as making an easier task to allow the home to retain 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 greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Newlands Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about the inside it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow and prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s frequently what you don’t see that could be a huge problem and cause the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Newlands

The areas of rental property that are affected to Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Newlands include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Newlands for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to check when conducting a house review to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenant services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today and book your rental properties house evaluation.