Healthy Homes Assessment Newtown

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? Landlords are now required 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 in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work required. requirements to be completed, and offer an assessment report that includes all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes associated fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re completely certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Newtown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be taken care of within 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who provide a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and must be updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It is also important to note that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with massive fines as well as still being required to comply with the regulations. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have a home inspection performed on your rental property.

See the full details for the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Newtown, and research indicates that rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than the homes of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who report four or more major issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Improve the standard of Newtown rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and living because of illnesses. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control in Newtown rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Newtown

Draughts may lead to less temperature in houses. A draughty home costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole and you are able to feel it, it’s likely to be a gap or hole which needs sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into the house need the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent possible.

There is no require to block off gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement within the building when the home is heated and cools in order to let them be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will check every window and door as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Newtown

Rental properties in Newtown must have a fixed source of heat which can warm the living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it needs to be equipped with an thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners 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 main living space already has a fixed heating source like the heat pump, it could require some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Newtown

Every living space of a rental home must include at least one open window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to remove moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about understanding the fact that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t liveable and are not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or Skylight needs to be able of opening to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your house that houses a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will require proper extractor fan systems that are vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Newtown

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory for all rent houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure the insulation meets the new quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and also makes an easier task to the household to retain heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest area of 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.

Newtown Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go, and stop it from coming into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is usually 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 health.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between floorboards and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from entering the property. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Newtown

Areas of rental properties that are impacted by Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Newtown include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Newtown for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to be able to examine in a house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenant services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional assistance, get in touch today to book your rental properties home assessment.