Healthy Homes Assessment Newtown

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure that 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 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 assess your rental property and determine whether it’s 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 work required. requirements to be done, and provide the report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in 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 healthy homes related fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re completely certified to evaluate 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, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Newtown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be finished inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be kept updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It’s also crucial to remember that a landlord who own multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are reserved for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with huge fines, in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and request a house evaluation performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households the property in New Zealand and Newtown, and research suggests that rental houses are likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating and are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more key housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Improve the quality of Newtown rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and living due to illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping within Newtown rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss having 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 homes. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or crack that requirements sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit from your home need the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped as much as imaginable.

You don’t need to block off holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow movement of the building as the house heats and cools, to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will examine the windows and doors as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for healthy houses

Heating Newtown

Rental properties in Newtown should have a permanent source of heat that is able to heat the living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the existing fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it must be equipped with the thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source, like the heat pump, it might just require an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Newtown

Each living space within a rental home must have at least one openable 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 remove moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about understanding that dried air can be easier to heat and heat, and 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. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable and do not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or the skylight needs to be able of opening to the outside and remain set in an opening position in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your house that houses a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture generating item will require adequate extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Newtown

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement in all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, as well as making more easy for the home to keep heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest 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 and underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Newtown Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s usually those things that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem, causing damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the property. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Newtown

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Newtown for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to check during an house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a Tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property home assessment.