Healthy Homes Assessment Newtown

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the 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 a new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals are required to 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 your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of the work which requirements to be done and provide an assessment report that includes all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes associated fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, and are fully certified for both 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 for a Newtown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be done inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who 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 property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is signed. It is updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It’s also crucial to note that a landlord with several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given only for serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in significant fines and still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct an house assessment 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 homes in New Zealand and Newtown, and research indicates that rental homes are likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who have reported four or more major housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Newtown rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and living because of diseases. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping on Newtown rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss the Newtown Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Newtown

Draughts can lead to less temperature in homes. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap that is, it is likely a crack or hole that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out from your house require to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t require to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the structure when the home warms and cools to allow them to be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will examine all doors and windows as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Newtown

Rental properties in Newtown need to have a stable source of heat that can warm the largest or main living space to at least 18degC, even during the most 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 and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to top up by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it needs to include a thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source, such as the heat pump, it might require an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Newtown

Every living space of a rental house must contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about acknowledging how dry air is much easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t liveable and don’t require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position open to the outside while remaining at an open angle in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your house that houses shower, bath and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will require adequate extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A dry and warm house is an ideal house

Insulation Newtown

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory in all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure the insulation meets this new quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, as well as making it easier for the household to keep warmth.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more efficient the insulation.

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

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Newtown Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually not apparent that it can become a big problem, causing the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to remove storm water, surface water and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also assists in preventing 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 to The Healthy Homes Standards in Newtown include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Newtown for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to check when conducting a house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the Tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today and book your rental property house evaluation.