Healthy Homes Assessment Newlands

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to ensure their Newlands rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work needed to be completed. requirements to be completed, and offer the report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in 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.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, as well as completely certified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Newlands rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be taken care of within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Newlands rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is signed. It must be updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s also important to keep in mind that landlords with several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given only for serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and arrange to have a home evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Newlands, and research suggests that rental houses tend to be colder, older and have less efficient heating, and generally have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who report four or more major issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Improve the standard of Newlands rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and living because of health issues. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control for Newlands rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Newlands

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within houses. A damp house will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a crack or a gap or crack, then it’s likely a crack or hole which needs sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out from your home require sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped as much as possible.

There is no need to cover up holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement within the structure when the house warms and cools so that they can still be closed and opened rather than securing. We will test the windows and doors in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Newlands

Newlands rental properties need to have a stable heating source that can warm the main or largest living space to at least 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to top up with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it needs to have the thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as heat pumps, it might require some additional energy to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Check out the complete details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Newlands

Every living space in a rental property must contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

A ventilation quality is all about acknowledging the fact that dry air is much easier to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable , and thus do not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or the skylight needs for them to be in a position 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 every other room of your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will require adequate extractor fans which are vented to the outside. Our 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.

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

A dry and warm house is a healthy house

Insulation Newlands

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure the insulation meets the new standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and it will make more easy to allow the home to retain warmth.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values required for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

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

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

Newlands Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside; you have to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s usually the things you don’t notice that can become a big problem, causing damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

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

Ground moisture barriers are generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from entering the home. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Newlands

Property rental areas that are affected through the Healthy Homes Standard in Newlands include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Newlands for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to check during the home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property home assessment.