Healthy Homes Assessment Newtown

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure that their Newtown rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to check if it meets 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 completed, and provide the report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes related fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re fully certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Newtown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It’s crucial to note that a landlord who own multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down only for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in massive fines as well as still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have an house assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Newtown, and research shows us that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative health results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. In addition, people who experience four or more key housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Newtown rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and living due to health issues. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping within Newtown rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Newtown

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside houses. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a hole or gap, then it is most likely a gap or hole which needs sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out from your home require to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched as far as imaginable.

You don’t need to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement within the building as the household warms and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will check all windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Newtown

Newtown rental properties need to have a stable heating source that can warm the living room to at least 18degC, even on 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 heat needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether your current fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it needs to include the thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might need a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Newtown

Every living space of the rental property should have at least one openable door or window to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is about recognising it is that dry air is easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable and therefore do not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or skylight requirements to have the ability of opening to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your house that houses shower, bath cooker or any other moisture-producing item will need adequate extractor fans that vent towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is an ideal house

Insulation Newtown

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory to all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation meets the new quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, as well as making it easier for the home to hold warmth.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all part 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Newtown Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s typically not apparent that it can become a big problem that can cause damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Newtown

Rental property areas affected through the Healthy Homes Standards in Newtown include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Newtown for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to check during an home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenant solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For professional advice, call today to schedule your rental property house assessment.