Healthy Homes Assessment Newtown

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? Landlords now have to ensure their Newtown rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks that requirements to be done and offer an evaluation report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties and are fully qualified for both 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 Newtown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be done inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Newtown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they could be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It’s also crucial to remember that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are handed down for severe breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have a home inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Newtown, and research shows us that these rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating, and generally are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative health results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who have reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Improve the quality of Newtown rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control on Newtown rental properties.

Begin now by calling about receiving a Newtown Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Newtown

Draughts may lead to less temperature in houses. A damp house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a gap or hole or crack, then it is probably a gap or crack that needs sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out into the home need the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped whenever possible.

There is no need to block off holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement of the structure when the household warms and cools so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will test every window and door during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Newtown

Rental properties in Newtown need to have a stable heating source that can warm the living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the existing fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it must be equipped with an thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source such as the heat pump, it might require an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Newtown

Each living space within the rental property should contain at minimum one open doors or windows to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is about recognising how dry air will be much easier to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable , and thus are not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or Skylight needs to be able of opening to the outside, but remain set in an opening position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your house that houses shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will need proper extractor fan systems that vent to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is a healthy home

Insulation Newtown

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory on all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation meets this new standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may need to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and also makes more easy for the home to keep heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

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

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

Newtown Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is typically what you don’t see that could be a huge problem and cause damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to remove rainwater, storm water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between your flooring and the ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Newtown

The areas of rental property that are affected with the Healthy Homes Standards in Newtown include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Newtown for Rental Properties

There are many concerns you should look for when conducting a house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist guidance, contact us today and book your rental property house assessment.