Healthy Homes Assessment Newtown

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure that their Newtown rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals 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 assess your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks needed to be completed. needs to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, we are fully certified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Newtown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be done by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as the person who is leasing the property out It could also be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current when the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be maintained through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that landlords who have multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are given for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in massive fines as well as still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households the property in New Zealand and Newtown, and research shows us that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who report at least four key house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Enhancing the standard of Newtown rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and living because of illnesses. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less maintenance costs over the long term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Newtown

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in houses. A cold house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air entering or a clear draught from a gap or hole or crack, then it’s probably a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out within the home need seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated whenever imaginable.

You don’t require to block off gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for the movement of the structure as the home warms and cools to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will examine all doors and windows as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are crucial for well-being homes

Heating Newtown

Newtown rental properties must have a fixed source of heating which can warm the living room to at least 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 health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the current fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it must include an thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a central heating source like the heat pump, it might need a top up to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Newtown

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about understanding that dry air is easier to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and therefore don’t need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or skylight needs at least to open up to the outside and remain at an open angle, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your property with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will need proper extractor fan systems that vent out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Find out all the details about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Newtown

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure the insulation meets this new quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and also makes an easier task for the house to hold heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Newtown Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow and stop it from coming into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is frequently what you don’t see that could be a huge problem and cause damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between your flooring and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor 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 through the Healthy Homes Standard in Newtown include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Newtown for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to look over during a home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to book your rental properties home assessment.