Healthy Homes Assessment Newtown

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Newtown rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully 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 assess the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work needed to be completed. requirements to be completed, and provide an assessment report that includes all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes associated fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties and are completely certified for 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, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Newtown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be completed within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Newtown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the property manager does not supply the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they may receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out, so it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who have several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in significant fines and still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and arrange to have a home assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households rent from New Zealand and Newtown, and research indicates that rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who experience at least four major issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing 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 illness. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long run.

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

Begin now by calling about receiving a Newtown Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Newtown

Draughts may lead to less temperature in homes. A cold house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the air is clear from a gap or hole and you can feel it, it is likely to be a gap or hole which needs sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of your house require the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as possible.

You don’t require to block up intentional holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure as the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will inspect all windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Newtown

Newtown rental properties must have a fixed source of heat that can warm the largest or main living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The heating source needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it must be equipped with a thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source, like heat pumps, it could need a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Newtown

Every living space of a rental property must include at least one open doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about recognising that dry air is more easy to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or Skylight requirements at least to open up to the outside and remain closed in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will need appropriate extractor fans that are vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is an ideal house

Insulation Newtown

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required in all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation is up to this new quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, as well as making an easier task to the home to retain warmth.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a gauge 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 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Newtown Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s often not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble and cause the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s well-being.

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

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and the ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from entering the building. It also helps to 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

Areas of rental properties that are impacted by The Healthy Homes Standards in Newtown include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Newtown for Rental Properties

There are many things to be able to examine when conducting a house assessment to see if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice get in touch today to schedule your rental properties house evaluation.