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 of July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure their Naenae rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas that are 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 satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be done and provide an assessment report that includes all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes connected fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re fully 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 new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Naenae rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be finished by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Naenae rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they could receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as being the person renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It’s important to keep in mind that landlords with multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved only for serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in significant fines and still being required to adhere to the regulations. Do not risk your rental property Call us today 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 matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households rent in New Zealand and Naenae, and research has shown that these rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative health outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who experience four or more key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improve the quality of Naenae rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of diseases. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs 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, and Draught Control within Naenae rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about having a Naenae Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Naenae

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within households. A humid house will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or crack that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit from the house require to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as far as imaginable.

There is no require to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the building as the home warms and cools in order to let them be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect every window and door as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are important for healthy homes

Heating Naenae

Rental properties in Naenae require a reliable heating source that is able to heat the living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to top up with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it must have an thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source like an air conditioner, it could require an upgrade to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Naenae

Each living space within a rental property has to have at least one opening window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

The ventilation quality is about recognising that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow 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 are not need an opening door or window.

Each door, window or skylight needs to be able open to the outside and remain set in an opening position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your home with shower, bath cooker or any other water-generating appliance will need appropriate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Naenae

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement in all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation is up to this new quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and will also make more easy to allow the home to retain warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest part 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 quality.

Naenae Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home 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, rain or ground water, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is often the things you don’t notice that could be a huge problem and cause damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from entering the home. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Naenae for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to check during the home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert advice, call now and schedule your rental properties house evaluation.