Healthy Homes Assessment Naenae

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have 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 completely compliant by 1 July 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. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work needed to be completed. requirements to be completed and provide an assessment report that includes all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors for rental properties, and are fully certified for each of 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 contract is signed on a Naenae rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 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 one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the property manager is unable to provide the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It should be kept updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s important to note that landlords who own multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for severe breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct a home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

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

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who report four or more major house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Naenae rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of health issues. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping within Naenae rental properties.

Start now and call about receiving a Naenae Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Naenae

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in houses. A damp house costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap that is, it is likely a crack or crack that needs sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of your house require to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as much as imaginable.

You don’t require to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement within the building when the home warms and cools to allow them to be opened and closed rather than securing. We will test all windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are crucial for healthy homes

Heating Naenae

Naenae rental properties must have a fixed source of heating that can warm the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC even on the coldest winter days. 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 heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the current permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to top up with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat source, it needs to have the thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a central heating source, such as an air conditioner, it might just need a top up to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Naenae

Each liveable space in a rental home must include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about acknowledging that dry air will be less difficult to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or the skylight needs to be able to open to the outside while remaining closed, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your house that houses shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

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

A dry and warm house is a healthy house

Insulation Naenae

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement to all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is in line with current standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and it will make an easier task to the house to retain heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

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

• Zone 1 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 - 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

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go and prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is frequently not apparent that it can become a big problem, causing damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to remove rainwater, storm water, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from getting into the property. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor 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

Property rental areas that are affected by The Healthy Homes Standard in Naenae include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Naenae for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to be able to examine when conducting the house review to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenant solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For professional advice, call today to schedule your rental property house evaluation.