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? Landlords are now required to make sure that their Newtown rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks needed to be completed. needs to be completed and provide an assessment report that includes all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes related fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, we are completely qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Newtown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be finished inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Newtown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they may be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as being the person letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It is important to note that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are given for serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have a house evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households from New Zealand and Newtown, and research has shown that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating and have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who report four or more key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the quality of Newtown rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and living because of illness. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping within Newtown rental properties.

Start now and call about getting a Newtown Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Newtown

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within households. A damp home will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or a clear draught from a crack or a gap and you are able to feel it, it’s most likely a gap or an opening that needs sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from your house require the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched whenever imaginable.

You don’t need to block up intentional gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement of the structure as the home heats and cools, so that they can still be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will test all windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for well-being houses

Heating Newtown

Rental properties in Newtown should have a permanent source of heat that can heat the main or largest living room to at least 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump it requirements to include a thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source such as an air conditioner, it might just require a top up to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Newtown

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about understanding how dried air can be more easy to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not living spaces and therefore do not need an opening window or door.

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

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your home that has a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will require suitable extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

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

A dry and warm house is a healthy home

Insulation Newtown

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required for all rent homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation meets the new standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and will also make much easier to allow the household to hold warmth.

Insulation needs 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 insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest 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 below floor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Newtown Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s usually what you don’t see that can become a big problem that can cause damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to have effective drainage to remove storm water, surface water, and groundwater, with 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 important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Newtown

Property rental areas that are affected with Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Newtown include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Newtown for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to look over in an house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenant services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For expert advice, call now and schedule your rental property home evaluation.