Healthy Homes Assessment Newtown

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must make sure their Newtown rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be completed, and provide a report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes associated fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, as well as completely qualified to assess each of 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 done by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Newtown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they may be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It must be updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It’s also crucial to note that landlords who manage several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have an home evaluation performed on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households from New Zealand and Newtown, and research suggests that rental homes are likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and have lower quality than the homes of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes can have negative health outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who report four or more key home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Enhancing the quality of Newtown rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and living because of illness. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught stopping within 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 are a major cause of low temperatures inside households. A humid home costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap that is, it’s most likely a gap or crack that needs sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out within the home require the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped as much as possible.

You don’t require to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement of the structure when the house warms and cools to allow them to be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will test every window and door during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Newtown

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

The source of heat needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will 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 suitable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it should have the thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a central heating source such as the heat pump, it might just need an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

Check out the complete details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Newtown

Each liveable space in the rental property should have at least one opening door or window to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

The ventilation quality is all about recognising that dry air is easier to heat and the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position of opening to the outside, but remain at an open angle, allowing the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your property with a bath, shower cooker or any other water-generating appliance will require proper extractor fan systems that can be vented to the outside. This 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 high moisture areas.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Newtown

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory on all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation is in line with this new quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may require to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and also makes much easier for the home to hold heat.

Insulation requirements 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 the insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 standard.

Newtown Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow and to prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is often the things you don’t notice that can become a big problem that can cause damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from getting into the property. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Newtown

Rental property areas affected by the Healthy Homes Standard in Newtown include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Newtown for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to check when conducting the house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenant solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For expert advice, call today to book your rental property house evaluation.