Healthy Homes Assessment Newlands

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must make sure that their Newlands rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about the work which requirements to be done and provide a report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties as well as fully certified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Newlands rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be done within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Newlands rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it is updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It is also crucial to note that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are reserved only for serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and make arrangements to have a house assessment performed for your rental property.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Newlands, and research has shown that these rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating and are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as heart diseases. In addition, people who experience four or more major housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

The improvement in the standard of Newlands rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to illness. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping on Newlands rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Newlands Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Newlands

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in houses. A damp home will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or a clear draught out of a hole or gap, then it is most likely a gap or hole which needs sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of your house require to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no require to block gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement of the structure when the home warms and cools in order to let them be closed and opened rather than securing. We will examine all windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for healthy homes

Heating Newlands

Rental properties in Newlands require a reliable heating source that can warm the living space to at least 18degC even on the coldest winter 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 heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat source, it should be equipped with a thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. In most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as a heat pump, then it may require a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Newlands

Every living space in a rental property has to include at least one open door or window to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about acknowledging the fact that dried air can be much easier to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable , and thus are not require an opening window or door.

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

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will need appropriate extractor fans that vent towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Newlands

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement on all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and also makes more easy for the home to hold warmth.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Newlands Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is frequently those things that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Newlands

Property rental areas that are affected by Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Newlands include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Newlands for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to check in an house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenant services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today and book your rental properties home assessment.