Healthy Homes Assessment Newtown

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords now have to make sure 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 are required to 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 can evaluate your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks required. requirements to be done and offer the report with all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation 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 healthier homes related fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, we are completely qualified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Newtown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who provide a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property which could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct when the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s also important to be aware that landlords who have multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down only for serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and request a home inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households homes in New Zealand and Newtown, and research suggests that rental homes are likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than the houses of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more major issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the quality of Newtown rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower maintenance costs over the long term.

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

Get started now and contact us about getting a Newtown Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Newtown

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in houses. A humid house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a hole or gap and you can feel it, it’s most likely a gap or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out from your home require to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as possible.

There is no need to block off gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure as the home heats and cools, so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will test every window and door in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Newtown

Rental properties in Newtown need to have a stable heating source which can warm the living space to at least 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump it must include a thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source, like a heat pump, then it could require a top up to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Newtown

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

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

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t living spaces and therefore are not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or Skylight requirements to have the ability open to the outside while remaining set in an opening position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your house that houses a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture generating item will require proper extractor fan systems that vent to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Newtown

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory on all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation meets the new standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and will also make much easier to allow the household to retain warmth.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the 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 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Newtown Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is frequently the things you don’t notice that could be a huge problem and cause damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to remove storm water, surface water, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

See the full 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 The Healthy Homes Standard in Newtown include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Newtown for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to be able to examine in an house inspection to determine whether 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 water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenancy services ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today and book your rental properties home evaluation.