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 that their Newtown rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks required. requirements to be completed, and provide an evaluation report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes associated fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re fully qualified for 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, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Newtown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be completed inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Newtown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property and it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it is updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It’s also crucial to remember that landlords who have several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are reserved for severe violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct an home assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households rent homes in New Zealand and Newtown, and research suggests that rental homes are likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and have lower quality than the homes of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Additionally, those who experience at least four key house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Improve the quality of Newtown rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and living because of health issues. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping within Newtown rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Newtown

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A humid house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a hole or gap, then it’s probably a gap or crack that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out from your home require the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped as much as possible.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement of the building when the household heats and cools, so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will inspect every window and door during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Newtown

Newtown rental properties should have a permanent source of heating that can heat the main or largest living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the existing installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to top up with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must have a thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a central heating source like a heat pump, then it might require an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Newtown

Each liveable space in a rental property has to include at least one open doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about recognising the fact that dry air will be easier to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and therefore are not need an opening window or door.

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

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your property with shower, bath, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will require proper extractor fan systems that vent to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is an ideal house

Insulation Newtown

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory in all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation meets current quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and it will make more easy to the house to keep heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The greater 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 – The rest of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Newtown Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is often the concerns you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from rising into the building. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

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
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Newtown for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to check when conducting an home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today to book your rental properties house evaluation.