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 are now required to make sure that their Newtown rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property and determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks required. needs to be completed and offer an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors for rental properties, and are completely certified to assess 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, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Newtown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed lease is entered into on a Newtown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed. It is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It is important to note that landlords who own multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and ask us to conduct an house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households rent homes in New Zealand and Newtown, and research shows us that these rental homes tend to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative health results, specifically for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who reported four or more major housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the standard of Newtown rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and living because of illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance over the long term.

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 in Newtown rental properties.

Start now and call about receiving a Newtown Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Newtown

Draughts can lead to less temperature in households. A draughty home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole and you can feel it, it is probably a gap or hole that needs sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out from your house require seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent possible.

There is no need to cover up holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect all windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Newtown

Rental properties in Newtown need to have a stable source of heat that is able to heat the{ main or largest|| largest or main| principal or the biggest} living room to at least 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump it must be equipped with the thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as an air conditioner, it may require an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Newtown

Every living space of a rental property must have at least one openable window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

This ventilation quality is about recognising that dry air will be much easier to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or Skylight needs to be able to open up to the outside, but remain set in an opening position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will require appropriate extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

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

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Newtown

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation is in line with current quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and will also make an easier task for the house to keep heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and 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

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Newtown Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s typically those things that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue, causing damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to have effective drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water is able to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between your flooring and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from rising into the building. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Newtown

Property rental areas that are affected to the Healthy Homes Standards in Newtown include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Newtown for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to check in a house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenant services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert advice, call today and book your rental property house assessment.