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 July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure 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 rental properties must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work required. needs to be completed, and provide a report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re 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

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

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

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they may be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is named on the lease contract as the person leasing the property out which could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it should be maintained through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s important to keep in mind that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and request a house assessment performed for your rental property.

See the full details for the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households rent in New Zealand and Newlands, and research suggests that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Additionally, those who reported four or more major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Newlands rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and living due to diseases. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping on Newlands rental properties.

Begin now by calling about having 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 homes. A cold house will cost more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap, then it is likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out of the home require to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched whenever possible.

There is no need to block holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement within the structure as the home warms and cools so that they can still be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will check every window and door as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Newlands

Newlands rental properties should have a permanent source of heat that is able to heat the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it should be equipped with a thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like heat pumps, it may need an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the standard because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Newlands

Each living space within a rental property must have at least one openable doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

This ventilation quality is all about acknowledging the fact that dry air is much easier to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-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 like the hallway aren’t liveable and therefore don’t need an opening window or door.

Each door, window or Skylight requirements to have the ability to open up to the outside while remaining closed, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your home with shower, bath cooker or any other humidity-generating items will need appropriate extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Newlands

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory in all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation meets current quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and will also make an easier task to the household to hold the heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and it is a measurement 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 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest area 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 and underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Newlands Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move and also stop it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is usually the things you don’t notice that could become a major issue that can cause damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to have effective drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from getting into the home. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Newlands

The areas of rental property that are affected through Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Newlands include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Newlands for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to check when conducting a home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require replacement or topping?
• 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 an Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional advice, call now and schedule your rental properties house evaluation.