Healthy Homes Assessment Newlands

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that 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 by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks needed to be completed. needs to be done and offer an evaluation report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re fully certified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Newlands rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be finished by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Newlands rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they may be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out which could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it is updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It’s also important to keep in mind that a landlord with multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are reserved for severe breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and request an home evaluation performed on your rental property.

Get the full description of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Newlands, and research shows us that these rental homes tend to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. In addition, people who report at least four major house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Enhancing the standard of Newlands rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of diseases. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Control on Newlands rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Newlands

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside households. A humid home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap that is, it is likely a crack or crack that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into your home need sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no need to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement within the building as the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will examine every window and door in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for well-being homes

Heating Newlands

Rental properties in Newlands require a reliable heating source that can heat the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the current permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it needs to include the thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source, such as an air conditioner, it may require an upgrade 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 unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Newlands

Each living space within a rental house must have at least one opening doors or windows to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation quality is all about acknowledging how the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable , and thus do not need an opening door or window.

Every window, door or the skylight requirements to be able to open to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will need proper extractor fan systems that can be vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A warm dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Newlands

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory in all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and will also make an easier task for the home to retain the heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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 the entire 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

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move and prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s typically what you don’t see that could be a huge problem, causing damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have effective drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a location to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the home. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Newlands

Rental property areas affected by Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Newlands include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Newlands for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things you should look for during a home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the Tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch now and schedule your rental property house assessment.