Healthy Homes Assessment Newtown

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure that their Newtown rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

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

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

We can evaluate your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks which needs to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the details required for 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 landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, as well as fully qualified for 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, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Newtown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be done by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Newtown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details 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 information requested within 21 days of being informed of the request, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property and it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is completed, and must be updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It’s also important to keep in mind that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in significant fines and still being required to comply with the regulations. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a house assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Newtown, and research shows us that these rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who report four or more major housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Enhancing the quality of Newtown rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and living because of illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught-stopping within Newtown rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about the Newtown Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Newtown

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within homes. A humid house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole that is, it’s most likely a gap or hole that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out from your home require sealing. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow movement of the structure as the household gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will check every window and door during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Newtown

Rental properties in Newtown need to have a stable source of heat that can heat the main or largest living space to at least 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it should include the thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source, such as an air conditioner, it may need an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the standard since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Newtown

Every living space of a rental property must have at least one openable doors or windows to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

The ventilation standard is about recognising that dry air is much easier to heat and a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or skylight requirements to be able open to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your house that houses shower, bath, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will require adequate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Newtown

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement on all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation meets the new standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness as well as making much easier to the home to keep warmth.

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

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

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Newtown Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s often what you don’t see that can become a big problem, causing damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water is able to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground 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 property. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Newtown

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Newtown include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Newtown for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things you should look for during a house review to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenant services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental properties home evaluation.