Healthy Homes Assessment Newtown

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must 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 rentals are required to 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 requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re fully qualified to assess both 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, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Newtown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Newtown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they could be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who offer a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

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

It is important to note that landlords who manage several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are reserved only for serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have an house evaluation performed for your rental property.

Check out the complete details of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households rent from New Zealand and Newtown, and research shows us that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating and tend to be lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative health results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. In addition, people who experience four or more major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Improve the quality of Newtown rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping for Newtown rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about having a Newtown Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Newtown

Draughts may lead to less temperature in houses. A draughty home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it needs to be closed.

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 or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or an opening that needs sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out of your house require seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

There is no need to block off gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement within the building as the house is heated and cools to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Newtown

Rental properties in Newtown must have a fixed source of heat that can heat the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it must be equipped with a thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a central heating source, like the heat pump, it could require an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Newtown

Each living space within the rental property should have at least one opening window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation quality is about recognising how dried air can be much easier to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t liveable and do not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or skylight needs to have the ability open to the outside and remain at an open angle in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your home with shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will require appropriate extractor fans which are vented 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.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Newtown

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required on all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure the insulation meets the new standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, as well as making it easier for the household to keep heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Newtown Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow and also stop it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s typically the things you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble and cause damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between your floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the structure. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete 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 by Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Newtown include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Newtown for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to check in a house assessment to see if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the ruling on tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental properties house assessment.