Healthy Homes Assessment Newtown

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Newtown rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess 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 which needs to be completed and provide the 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 under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, we are fully qualified to evaluate each of 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, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Newtown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be completed within 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days of being informed of the request, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It is also crucial to keep in mind that landlords with multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have a house assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households from New Zealand and Newtown, and research indicates that rental homes tend to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and are of lower quality than the homes of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who reported four or more major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Improve the standard of Newtown rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to health issues. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping on Newtown rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss receiving 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 damp house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap and you can feel it, it is probably a gap or hole that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from the home need seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated whenever possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement of the structure when the household is heated and cools in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will check the windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are important for well-being houses

Heating Newtown

Rental properties in Newtown should have a permanent source of heating that can heat the largest or main living space to at least 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump, then it must include an thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as heat pumps, it may require a top up to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the quality as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Newtown

Every living space of a rental property has to have at least one opening door or window to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about recognising how the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable and don’t need an opening window or door.

Each door, window or skylight needs to be able to open to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your property with shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will require proper extractor fan systems that can be vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is an ideal home

Insulation Newtown

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory to all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure the insulation meets this new standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and also makes it easier to the house to keep the heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

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

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Newtown Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is often the concerns you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water is able to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from rising into the property. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Newtown

Property rental areas that are affected through 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 numerous concerns to be able to examine in the home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? 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 home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a Tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For expert assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property home assessment.