Healthy Homes Assessment Naenae

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Naenae rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work required. needs to be completed and offer a report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’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 to not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, we are completely qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Naenae rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Naenae rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be current when the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s also crucial to note that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are reserved for serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in massive fines as well as still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have an home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Naenae, and research has shown that these rental houses tend to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who reported four or more key house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Improving the quality of Naenae rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and living due to diseases. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance 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, as well Draught-stopping on Naenae rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Naenae

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside households. A draughty home will cost more to heat, which results in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a crack or a gap, then it’s probably a gap or hole that needs sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out from your house require the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as possible.

You don’t require to cover up gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure when the household heats and cools, to allow them to be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will check all doors and windows as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for well-being houses

Heating Naenae

Rental properties in Naenae must have a fixed heating source which can warm the living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to top up with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it should include the thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source, like a heat pump, then it might just need an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Naenae

Every living space in a rental property has to have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about acknowledging that dry air will be less difficult to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable and therefore are not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position of opening to the outside, and stay closed in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your home that has a bath, shower, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems that vent to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

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

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Naenae

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required in all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation is up to current quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and will also make much easier for the household to hold warmth.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better 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 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Naenae Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside; you have to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s frequently the concerns you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water is able to go, and it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between your floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the building. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Naenae

Rental property areas affected to Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Naenae include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Naenae for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns you should look for when conducting an home assessment to see if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today and book your rental properties house assessment.