Healthy Homes Assessment Newtown

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure that their Newtown rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to 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 evaluate your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be done, and provide the report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes connected fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, and are 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, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Newtown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Newtown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the property manager fails to provide the information requested 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 approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It is crucial to remember that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and request an house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households rent from New Zealand and Newtown, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating, and generally have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and heart diseases. Additionally, those who experience at least four key housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Improving the quality 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 illness. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping in Newtown rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Newtown

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A draughty house costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a gap or hole or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or hole which needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out within your home need the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as much as imaginable.

You don’t require to block gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement within the building as the household is heated and cools so that they can still be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will examine the windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Newtown

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

The heating source needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the current fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top-up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat source, it should be equipped with the thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a central heating source such as the heat pump, it might just require some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Newtown

Every living space of the rental property should have at least one opening door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about recognising that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered living spaces and therefore are not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or skylight needs for them to be in a position of opening to the outside and remain closed to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your home that has a bath, shower and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will require proper extractor fan systems that are vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Newtown

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory to all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and will also make it easier to the household to keep the heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values required for your area

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

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

Newtown Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s frequently what you don’t see that could become a major issue and end up causing damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have efficient drainage to remove rainwater, storm water, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between floorboards and the ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Newtown

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Newtown for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to look over in an home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the ruling on tenancy services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice, call now and schedule your rental property home assessment.