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 new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work required. needs to be completed and provide the report with all the necessary information 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 of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes related fines.

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

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Newtown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be taken care of within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

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

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate when the tenancy contract is signed. It must be updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It’s important to keep in mind that landlords who have multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given only for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and request an home inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Newtown, and research suggests that rental homes are most likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative health results, specifically for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who experience at least four key issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Enhancing the standard of Newtown rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of health issues. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping in Newtown rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the 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 humid home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap or crack, then it is likely a crack or hole which needs sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out of your house require the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever imaginable.

There is no need to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow movement of the building as the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will examine the windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Newtown

Rental properties in Newtown need to have a stable source of heat that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it should be equipped with an thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a central heating source such as a heat pump, then it could require an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the quality because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Newtown

Every living space of the rental property should have at least one opening doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about acknowledging the fact that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable and do not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or Skylight needs to be able to open up to the outside while remaining at an open angle in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home that has shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

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

A cozy dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Newtown

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory in all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure the insulation meets the new quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and also makes more easy for the home to hold warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 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 - 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

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s usually what you don’t see that could be a huge problem and cause damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground 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 building. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Newtown

The areas of rental property that are affected by The Healthy Homes Standards in Newtown include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Newtown for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to be able to examine when conducting a house assessment to see if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional advice, call today to schedule your rental properties home assessment.