Healthy Homes Assessment Naenae

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Naenae rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work needed to be completed. requirements to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re fully certified for both 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 new or renewed contract is signed on a Naenae rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be finished within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on the Naenae rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the property manager fails to provide the information requested 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’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who offer a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it is finished.

It is also crucial to be aware that a landlord who own multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for the most serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have an house inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Naenae, and research indicates that rental houses tend to be colder, older and have less efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than the houses of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Improve the quality of Naenae rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and living because of diseases. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught stopping on Naenae rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Naenae

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside homes. A humid house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap, then it is likely to be a gap or an opening that needs sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of your home require sealing. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as far as imaginable.

You don’t need to block off gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for the movement of the building when the house gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will test the windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for healthy houses

Heating Naenae

Rental properties in Naenae must have a fixed source of heating that can warm the main or largest living room to at least 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the existing fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it must include a thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source, like an air conditioner, it might just require a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Naenae

Every living space in a rental property has to have at least one opening doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation quality is about recognising that dry air will be much easier to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or skylight needs at least open to the outside while remaining closed, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home that has a bath, shower cooker or any other water-generating appliance will require appropriate extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is a healthy home

Insulation Naenae

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required in all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation is in line with the new quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might need to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and also makes much easier to allow the home to retain the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The greater 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 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

Learn more about this 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 about having to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s usually the things you don’t notice that could be a huge problem and end up causing damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to remove rainwater, storm water, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between your flooring and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of The 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 by Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Naenae include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Naenae for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to check during the home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental properties home evaluation.