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 of July 2021? Landlords must ensure their Newtown rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely 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 assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks needed to be completed. needs to be completed, and provide an evaluation report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors for rental properties, and are completely certified to assess both 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, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Newtown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be completed by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Newtown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable 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 landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it is finished.

It is also important to remember that landlords with multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given only for serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and request an house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

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

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who reported at least four major home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the standard of Newtown rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and living because of health issues. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs over the long term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Newtown

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within households. A cold house costs more to heat, which results in wasting money and energy.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole, then it’s most likely a gap or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit into the house require seals. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched whenever imaginable.

There is no require to block off gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow movement of the structure as the household gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will examine the windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Newtown

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

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current fix 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 mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat source, then it must be equipped with the thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. For most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might require a top up to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the quality because they’re costly, not affordable to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Newtown

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

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

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore are not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or the skylight requirements at least to open to the outside, and stay at an open angle, allowing the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your home that has shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require appropriate extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

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

A cozy dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Newtown

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement on all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation is in line with the new quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and will also make an easier task for the household to keep warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more efficient the 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, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor 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 dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s typically not apparent that it could be a huge problem that can cause damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the property. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Find out all the details of this 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 Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Newtown for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to check in the home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have 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 the Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today to book your rental property house evaluation.