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 are now required to make sure their Newtown rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully 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 evaluate your rental property to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be done and provide the report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, and are completely certified 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, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Newtown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be taken care of within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they may receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who provide a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it must be updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It’s also important to be aware that landlords with multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved only for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of 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 still being required to adhere to the regulations. Do not risk your rental property call us now and request an home assessment performed on your rental property.

Get the full description of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Newtown, and research shows us that these rental houses tend to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Improving the standard of Newtown rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and living because of health issues. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping in Newtown rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Newtown

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside homes. A draughty home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or a clear draught out of a hole or gap or crack, then it’s likely a crack or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of the home require sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t need to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement of the building when the home gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will check every window and door in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Newtown

Rental properties in Newtown should have a permanent heating source which can warm the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top-up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it should include the thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as a heat pump, then it could require an update to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Newtown

Every living space in the rental property should include at least one open door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about understanding that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore do not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or skylight needs for them to be in a position to open to the outside, but remain closed, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home that has a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will need suitable extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. This 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 quality.

A warm dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Newtown

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory in all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation is up to the new standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and it will make it easier to the home to retain the heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 and underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Newtown Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the inside It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s often not apparent that it could become a major issue and cause damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a place to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Newtown

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Newtown include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Newtown for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to be able to examine during an house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice, call today and book your rental property home evaluation.