Healthy Homes Assessment Newtown

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure their Newtown rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of the work required. requirements to be done and provide the report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re completely certified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Newtown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who provide a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate when the tenancy contract is completed, and should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is also important to be aware that a landlord with several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with large fines in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households the property in New Zealand and Newtown, and research indicates that rental houses tend to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and have lower quality than the houses of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who reported four or more major housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Improving the quality of Newtown rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and living due to illnesses. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

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

Begin now by calling about having a Newtown Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Newtown

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in households. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap that is, it’s likely a crack or an opening that needs sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into your home require the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as possible.

There is no require to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the house warms and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will check the windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Newtown

Rental properties in Newtown require a reliable source of heating which can warm the living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it requirements to be equipped with a thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source, like an air conditioner, it might need some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Newtown

Each living space within a rental property has to include at least one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is about recognising how dry air will be much easier to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable and don’t require an opening window or door.

Each door, window or the skylight needs to have the ability of opening to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your home with shower, bath cooker or any other water-generating appliance will require suitable extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Newtown

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required in all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation meets the new standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and it will make it easier to the house to retain warmth.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the standard of 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 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Newtown Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and also stop it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s typically not apparent that it could become a major issue and end up causing damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

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

Alongside an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from entering the home. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Newtown

Rental property areas affected by Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Newtown include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Newtown for Rental Properties

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

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenant solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today to book your rental property house evaluation.