Healthy Homes Assessment Naenae

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Naenae rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely compliant 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 if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks which requirements to be completed, and offer an assessment report that includes all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of 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 healthy homes connected fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, we are fully qualified for each of 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 contract is signed on a Naenae rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be taken care of within 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It’s also crucial to note that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for the most serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct an house evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

Check out the complete details of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Naenae, and research has shown that these rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who have reported four or more major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Naenae rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of diseases. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control for Naenae rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Naenae Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Naenae

Draughts can lead to less temperature in homes. A damp house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or hole that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out within the house require to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as far as imaginable.

There is no require to cover up holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement of the building as the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will test the windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for healthy homes

Heating Naenae

Rental properties in Naenae require a reliable heating source that can warm the largest or main living room to at least 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to top up by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat source, then it must have a thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a central heating source like heat pumps, it might just need some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the quality since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Naenae

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one opening window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

The ventilation standard is all about understanding that dry air will be much easier to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t living spaces and therefore are not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or skylight needs for them to be in a position of opening to the outside and remain at an open angle in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your property with shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will need proper extractor fan systems that vent towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

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

A dry and warm home is a healthy house

Insulation Naenae

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory for all rent houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation meets the new quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, as well as making it easier to the household to hold warmth.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder area 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

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

Naenae Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is frequently what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from rising into the building. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Naenae

Property rental areas that are affected through The Healthy Homes Standards in Naenae include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Naenae for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to check during a house review to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice, call today and book your rental properties home evaluation.