Healthy Homes Assessment Naenae

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords must make sure that their Naenae rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely certified 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 requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks that needs to be done and offer a report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, as well as completely qualified to evaluate 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, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Naenae rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be done by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Naenae rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty up to $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who 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 requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It’s also crucial to be aware that a landlord with multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a house evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households in New Zealand and Naenae, and research has shown that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who reported four or more key issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the quality of Naenae rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and living due to diseases. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping in Naenae rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Naenae Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Naenae

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within households. A cold house is more expensive to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap, then it is most likely a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out from your home need sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as possible.

There is no need to block off gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow movement of the building as the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for well-being houses

Heating Naenae

Rental properties in Naenae must have a fixed source of heat that is able to heat the main or largest living room to at least 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 health and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it requirements to include a thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a central heating source such as a heat pump, then it might just require a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Naenae

Each living space within the rental property should contain at minimum one open door or window to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about acknowledging the fact that dried air can be easier to heat and that a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t liveable , and thus do not need an opening door or window.

Each door, window or skylight requirements to have the ability to open to the outside and remain closed, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your property with shower, bath cooker or any other moisture-producing item will require adequate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

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

A cozy dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Naenae

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement on all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and will also make an easier task for the home to hold the heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Naenae Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow and also stop it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s frequently what you don’t see that can become a big problem that can cause damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to have effective drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the property. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Naenae

The areas of rental property that are affected with the Healthy Homes Standard in Naenae include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Naenae for Rental Properties

There are many things to look over during a home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch now and schedule your rental property house evaluation.