Healthy Homes Assessment Newlands

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? Landlords are now required to make sure their Newlands rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are 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 if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be done, and offer a report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, we are fully qualified to evaluate 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, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Newlands rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be completed by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out It could also be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it must be updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that a landlord with multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with huge fines, in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and request an home evaluation performed for 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 So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Newlands, and research suggests that rental houses are likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating and are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative health results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four major housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Improving the quality of Newlands rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and living due to illness. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping on Newlands rental properties.

Start now and call about receiving a Newlands Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Newlands

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within households. A damp home is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or a clear draught from a crack or a gap that is, it’s probably a gap or crack that needs sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out from your house need to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to block gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the home heats and cools, so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will inspect all doors and windows as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Newlands

Newlands rental properties need to have a stable source of heating that can heat the largest or main living room to at least 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top-up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it requirements to be equipped with a thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a central heating source, such as a heat pump, then it could require some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Newlands

Every living space of a rental house must contain at minimum one open door or window to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about understanding that dry air will be much easier to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t living spaces and therefore don’t need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open up to the outside, and stay set in an opening position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your property with shower, bath and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will require adequate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Newlands

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required for all rent homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation is up to current standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, as well as making more easy for the home to keep the heat.

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 insulation is able to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.

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

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Newlands Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water, and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is typically not apparent that it could be a huge problem and cause damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to be equipped with 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 location to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of The 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 with The Healthy Homes Standard in Newlands include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Newlands for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns you should look for when conducting the home assessment to see if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For specialist guidance, contact us today and book your rental property home assessment.