Healthy Homes Assessment Newtown

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure that their Newtown rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully 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 assess the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks that requirements to be done, and provide the report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes associated fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re fully qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Newtown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be completed inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Newtown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out and it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s also important to remember that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have an home inspection performed for your rental property.

Find the full information on the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Newtown, and research indicates that rental houses tend to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than the houses of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who reported four or more major issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

The improvement in the standard of Newtown rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of health issues. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long run.

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

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Newtown Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Newtown

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A draughty home will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a hole or gap, then it is most likely a gap or an opening that needs sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out from the home require sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever imaginable.

You don’t need to block gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement within the building when the household warms and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will inspect every window and door during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Newtown

Newtown rental properties should have a permanent source of heating that can warm the living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the existing permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it must have the thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source such as an air conditioner, it might need an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the standard as they are either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Newtown

Each liveable space in a rental home must contain at minimum one open door or window to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about recognising how dry air is much easier to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered living spaces and therefore do not need an opening window or door.

Each door, window or the skylight requirements to have the ability open to the outside, and stay closed to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your house that houses shower, bath cooker or any other humidity-generating items will need proper extractor fan systems that are vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Newtown

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory for all rent houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation is up to the new quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may need to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness as well as making it easier to the home to hold warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

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

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

Newtown Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water and prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem and end up causing damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to have efficient drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

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

The ground-moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor 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 Newtown

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through the Healthy Homes Standard in Newtown include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Newtown for Rental Properties

There are many concerns you should look for when conducting a home review to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional advice, call today and book your rental properties house evaluation.