Healthy Homes Assessment Naenae

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords must ensure that their Naenae rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas 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 assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work needed to be completed. requirements to be completed and provide the report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes associated fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re fully certified to assess each of 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, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Naenae rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be taken care of within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it should be maintained through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It’s also important to keep in mind that landlords who manage several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct an home inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Naenae, and research indicates that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who report four or more key house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Naenae rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control within Naenae rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss the Naenae Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Naenae

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within households. A damp house will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap, then it is likely a crack or hole which needs sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out into your house require sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as imaginable.

There is no need to block off holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow movement of the building as the house is heated and cools to allow them to be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will examine all windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Naenae

Naenae rental properties should have a permanent source of heating that can heat the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it must have the thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as an air conditioner, it could need an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the standard because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Naenae

Every living space in the rental property should have at least one opening window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about acknowledging how dry air will be easier to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or the skylight needs to have the ability of opening to the outside, but remain closed to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will require appropriate extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A dry and warm home is an ideal house

Insulation Naenae

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is in line with this new standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and will also make it easier for the house to hold the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 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 the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Naenae Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically those things that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue, causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to remove rainwater, storm water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

See the full 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 with Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Naenae include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Naenae for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to be able to examine when conducting an home assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the Tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice, call today and book your rental property house evaluation.