Healthy Homes Assessment Newtown

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must make sure 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 completely 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 evaluate your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about the work required. requirements to be completed and provide an assessment report that includes all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of 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 connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors for rental properties, as well as completely certified for 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, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Newtown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be done by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new or renewed contract is signed on a Newtown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate when the tenancy contract is completed, and must be updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It’s also important to keep in mind that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct a home evaluation performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households homes in New Zealand and Newtown, and research suggests that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than the homes of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Additionally, those who report four or more major housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Newtown rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of illness. Your investment is also better protected 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, as well as Draught Control on Newtown rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Newtown

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside households. A draughty house costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a hole or gap that is, it’s likely a crack or an opening that needs sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into the home need seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

There is no need to cover up holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement within the structure when the home is heated and cools so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will test every window and door during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Newtown

Rental properties in Newtown need to have a stable heating source that can warm the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it should include an thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source such as a heat pump, then it may need an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality as they are either costly, not affordable to run, or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Newtown

Each living space within a rental house must have at least one opening door or window to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

It is the ventilation standard is all about recognising the fact that dry air will be much easier to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or skylight requirements at least to open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your house that houses shower, bath cooker or any other water-generating appliance will need proper extractor fan systems that are vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is an ideal home

Insulation Newtown

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory on all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation meets the new standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and it will make more easy to the home to hold heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Newtown Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow and stop it from coming into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s usually not apparent that it can become a big problem, causing the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from rising into the building. 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

The areas of rental property that are affected by the Healthy Homes Standards in Newtown include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Newtown for Rental Properties

There are many things to look over in a home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional advice, call today to schedule your rental property home assessment.