Healthy Homes Assessment Newtown

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords must ensure that their Newtown rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work which needs to be completed, and provide an evaluation report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, we are fully qualified 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, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Newtown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on the Newtown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property 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 up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It’s important to note that landlords who manage multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for severe violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with huge fines, in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and make arrangements to have an house assessment done for your rental property.

Check out the complete details of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Newtown, and research has shown that these rental homes tend to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who experience at least four major housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Improving the standard of Newtown rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and living because of health issues. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping on 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 are a major cause of less temperature in homes. A damp house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole, then it is probably a gap or hole which needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from your house need to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped as much as possible.

You don’t require to block off holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement of the building as the house is heated and cools in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Newtown

Rental properties in Newtown require a reliable source of heating that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the existing fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it must have an thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a central heating source, like heat pumps, it might require a top up to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the quality as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Newtown

Every living space in a rental home must contain at minimum one open door or window to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about understanding the fact that dry air will be less difficult to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t liveable , and thus do not need an opening door or window.

Each door, window or skylight needs for them to be in a position of opening to the outside and remain at an open angle to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your house that houses shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will need adequate extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Newtown

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement for all rent homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation is up to current standard. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and will also make more easy to the home to retain the heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

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

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Newtown Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is typically what you don’t see that could be a huge problem and end up causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to have effective drainage to remove rainwater, storm water and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and the ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps prevent any damage to your 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 Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Newtown include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Newtown for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to be able to examine during the home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today and book your rental properties house assessment.