Healthy Homes Assessment Naenae

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords must make sure their Naenae rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks that requirements to be done and provide 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 violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties as well as fully qualified 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, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Naenae rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the property manager is unable to provide the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they could receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out and it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed. It is updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It is also important to keep in mind that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for the most serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have an home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Naenae, and research indicates that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who report four or more major housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the standard of Naenae rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which results in less 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, as well as Draught Control in 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 may lead to lower temperatures in households. A humid home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a hole or gap, then it is likely to be a gap or crack that requirements sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out within the house need seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as much as imaginable.

There is no require to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure when the house warms and cools in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will inspect all doors and windows during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for well-being homes

Heating Naenae

Rental properties in Naenae should have a permanent source of heat that can heat the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it needs to include an thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and efficient. In most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source such as the heat pump, it may need a top up to ensure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Naenae

Every living space of the rental property should have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

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

Bedrooms, living rooms dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not living spaces and therefore do not require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or Skylight needs to have the ability to open to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your property with a bath, shower and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will require appropriate extractor fans which are vented out to 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.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is a healthy home

Insulation Naenae

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory on all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation is up to the new quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, as well as making more easy to the home to retain heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

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

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

Naenae Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow and stop it from coming inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is typically those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem and cause the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the building. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Find out all the details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Naenae

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Naenae include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Naenae for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to look over when conducting the house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenant solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental properties home evaluation.