Healthy Homes Assessment Newlands

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords must ensure that their Newlands rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to check whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks which requirements to be done and provide an evaluation 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 breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes associated fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, we are completely certified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Newlands rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new or renewed lease is entered into on a Newlands rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is who is letting the property which could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate when the tenancy contract is completed, and should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is also crucial to note that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and arrange to have an home assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households from New Zealand and Newlands, and research suggests that rental houses tend to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and are of lower quality than the houses of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who report four or more key home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Newlands rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and daily life due to diseases. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping in Newlands rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Newlands

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within homes. A humid home costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap, then it is likely to be a gap or crack that requirements sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out within the house require to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated whenever possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement of the structure when the home warms and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will check the windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Newlands

Rental properties in Newlands must have a fixed source of heat which can warm the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC, even during 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 well-being.

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump, then it must include an thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a central heating source such as a heat pump, then it might just need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Newlands

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is about recognising that dry air will be much easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open up to the outside and remain set in an opening position to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your house that houses a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will require suitable extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

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

A dry and warm home is an ideal home

Insulation Newlands

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory for all rent houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure the insulation meets current quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, as well as making much easier to allow the house to retain warmth.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

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

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Newlands Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s usually the concerns you don’t notice that can become a big problem, causing the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from entering the property. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Newlands

Areas of rental properties that are impacted by the Healthy Homes Standards in Newlands include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Newlands for Rental Properties

There are many things you should look for when conducting the home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenant solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property house assessment.