Healthy Homes Assessment Newtown

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure 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 completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks needed to be completed. needs to be completed and offer an evaluation report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’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 who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, as well as completely qualified to evaluate 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, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Newtown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be done by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the property manager does not supply the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they can receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty up to $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it is updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It is crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have a home assessment done for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households rent homes in New Zealand and Newtown, and research has shown that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally have lower quality than the homes of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative health results, specifically for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who report four or more key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Enhancing the standard of Newtown rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of health issues. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping within Newtown rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Newtown

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in houses. A cold home costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a hole or gap, then it’s likely a crack or hole that requirements sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from your home require seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as far as imaginable.

You don’t require to block holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the structure when the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will check the windows and doors in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Newtown

Newtown rental properties should have a permanent heating source that can warm the largest or main living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heat needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it must have an thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. In most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

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

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

Ventilation Newtown

Every living space of a rental property must have at least one opening window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about acknowledging that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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 are not require an opening door or window.

Each door, window or skylight requirements to have the ability to open up to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your home that has shower, bath cooker or any other moisture-producing item will need appropriate extractor fans that vent to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Newtown

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement on all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation is in line with current quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and also makes an easier task for the house to keep warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder part of 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Newtown Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically what you don’t see that can become a big problem that can cause damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a place to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from entering the home. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor 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

The areas of rental property that are affected through The Healthy Homes Standard in Newtown include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Newtown for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to be able to examine when conducting an home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert advice, call now and schedule your rental properties house evaluation.