Healthy Homes Assessment Newtown

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords must ensure their Newtown rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks that requirements to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties and are fully certified for 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 contract is signed on a Newtown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be finished by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new or renewed lease is entered into on a Newtown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who provide a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that a landlord with multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down only for serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with significant fines and still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have an home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Newtown, and research shows us that these rental houses tend to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who have reported at least four major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Improve the standard of Newtown rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and living due to diseases. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping within Newtown rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Newtown

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in households. A draughty home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap and you can feel it, it’s likely a crack or an opening that requirements sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of the house need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as possible.

You don’t need to cover up gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow movement of the building when the household heats and cools, so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will check the windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for well-being homes

Heating Newtown

Newtown rental properties must have a fixed source of heat that can warm the main or largest living room to at least 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The heating source needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it should have the thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as the heat pump, it might require an upgrade to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Newtown

Each living space within a rental property has to have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about acknowledging the fact that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered liveable and therefore do not need an opening door or window.

Every window, door or Skylight needs to be able of opening to the outside and remain fixed in an open position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your home that has a bath, shower, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will require suitable extractor fans which are vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is a healthy house

Insulation Newtown

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory in all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation is up to the new standard. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, as well as making it easier for the household to hold heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of the 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Newtown Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the inside but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water and also stop it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s usually those things that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue, causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water is able to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the home. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Learn more about 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 to Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Newtown include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Newtown for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things you should look for during an house assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today to book your rental property house evaluation.