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 July 2021? The 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 compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks which requirements to be completed, and offer an evaluation report with all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, as well as completely certified for 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, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Naenae rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Naenae rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be current when the tenancy contract is completed, and must be updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s crucial to be aware that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a house assessment performed on your rental property.

See the full details for this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households the property in New Zealand and Naenae, and research shows us that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than the houses of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. In addition, people who reported four or more major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

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

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping within Naenae rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Naenae Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Naenae

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in households. A damp house will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole, then it’s likely a crack or hole that requirements sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out into your home require sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped as far as possible.

You don’t need to block off gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement of the structure when the home is heated and cools in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will inspect every window and door as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Naenae

Rental properties in Naenae must have a fixed source of heating that can warm the largest or main living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the existing fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it requirements to be equipped with a thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a central heating source, like a heat pump, then it might just need an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Naenae

Each liveable space in a rental property must contain at minimum one open door or window to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about acknowledging that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable and do not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or Skylight requirements to be able open to the outside and remain fixed in an open position, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home with a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture-producing item will require appropriate extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

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

A warm dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Naenae

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement in all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation meets current standard. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and will also make it easier to the household to hold warmth.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of 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 and underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Naenae Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s usually those things that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue and end up causing the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a location to go and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between the floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from entering the structure. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Naenae

Rental property areas affected through the Healthy Homes Standards in Naenae include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Naenae for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns you should look for when conducting an house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice, call today to schedule your rental property house assessment.