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 are now required to ensure that their Newtown rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about the work that needs to be done and provide an assessment report that includes all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, we are completely qualified to assess both 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 tasks have to be done by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is leasing the property out It could also be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It’s also crucial to be aware that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for severe violations. Those who have six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and make arrangements to have an house assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households homes in New Zealand and Newtown, and research shows us that these rental houses are likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative health outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who reported four or more major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Improve the quality of Newtown rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and living because of illnesses. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping in Newtown rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Newtown

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in houses. A humid home costs more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

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

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 hole or gap, then it’s likely to be a gap or hole that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out from your home require the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as imaginable.

There is no require to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for the movement of the building as the house gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect all windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Newtown

Rental properties in Newtown must have a fixed source of heating that can warm the largest or main living space to at least 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if your current fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to top up by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it needs to have the thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source like heat pumps, it could require an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Newtown

Every living space of the rental property should include at least one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to remove moisture.

The ventilation quality is about recognising how dry air is more easy to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t liveable and do not require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or skylight requirements to be able to open to the outside and remain closed in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your home with shower, bath cooker or any other moisture-producing item will require suitable extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is an ideal home

Insulation Newtown

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required to all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and will also make it easier to the house to hold the heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest part of 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Newtown Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s often those things 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 health.

Rental properties need to have effective drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Newtown

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

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Newtown for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to be able to examine when conducting a home review to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenant services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert guidance, contact us today to book your rental properties house evaluation.