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 must ensure 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 are required to be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work which requirements to be completed and offer the report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors for rental properties, we are fully qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Newtown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be done by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be current before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It is important to remember that landlords with multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for the most serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and request a house assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households rent homes in New Zealand and Newtown, and research shows us that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four major housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Improve the quality of Newtown rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and living because of diseases. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long-term.

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

Contact us now to discuss getting a Newtown Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Newtown

Draughts may lead to less temperature in households. A damp home will cost more to heat, which results in wasting money and energy.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap or crack, then it’s probably a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out within the home require the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched as far as possible.

There is no require to block holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow movement of the building as the household heats and cools, in order to let them be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will inspect every window and door during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Newtown

Rental properties in Newtown require a reliable source of heat that can warm the living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it requirements to have the thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source like heat pumps, it may require some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Newtown

Each living space within the rental property should have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

The ventilation quality is about recognising the fact that dried air can be more easy to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements to be able open to the outside, but remain closed in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your property with shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture generating item will require proper extractor fan systems that vent to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

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

A warm dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Newtown

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required for all rent houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and will also make more easy to the house to hold warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 below floor R 1.3

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Newtown Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is usually what you don’t see that could become a major issue that can cause damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between your flooring and soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from getting into the property. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

See the full 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 through Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Newtown include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Newtown for Rental Properties

There are numerous things you should look for in a home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the house 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 solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional advice, call today to book your rental property house evaluation.