Healthy Homes Assessment Naenae

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Naenae 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 fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be completed and offer an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes connected fines.

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

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Naenae rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days of being informed of the request, they will be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as being the person who is letting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It is also crucial to note that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given only for serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and arrange to have a house assessment done for your rental property.

Find the full information on the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households rent from New Zealand and Naenae, and research has shown that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Improve the standard of Naenae rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and living because of illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping for Naenae rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Naenae

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in homes. A cold house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap and you can feel it, it is most likely a gap or an opening that needs sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out from the house need sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as possible.

There is no need to block off gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement within the structure when the home is heated and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will examine every window and door as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for healthy homes

Heating Naenae

Rental properties in Naenae must have a fixed source of heating that can heat the largest or main living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if your current fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump it must have a thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source like the heat pump, it may need an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Naenae

Every living space in a rental property has to contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation standard is about recognising that dried air can be much easier to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

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

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your property with shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need suitable extractor fans that vent towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is an ideal house

Insulation Naenae

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory to all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, as well as making an easier task to allow the household to retain warmth.

Insulation requirements 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 withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Naenae Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s often the concerns you don’t notice that could become a major issue, causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

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

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Naenae for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to look over during the home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental property home evaluation.