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 July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure that their Naenae rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work that needs to be done and offer an evaluation report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of 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 $7,200 plus additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re fully qualified to assess 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, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Naenae rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be finished within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new or renewed lease is entered into on the Naenae rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant may be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed. It should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It is important to note that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and request an home inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households from New Zealand and Naenae, and research has shown that these rental homes tend to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who experience at least four major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Improve the standard of Naenae rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and living because of diseases. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Control on Naenae rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Naenae

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in houses. A draughty house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap or crack, then it’s likely a crack or hole that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from the house need sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as far as possible.

You don’t require to block off holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement of the structure when the household is heated and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will examine all windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for healthy houses

Heating Naenae

Rental properties in Naenae need to have a stable source of heat that is able to heat the main or largest living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. 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 heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat source, then it must include a thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a central heating source, such as heat pumps, it may require a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the standard because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Naenae

Every living space of a rental property must include at least one open door or window to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about recognising how dried air can be much easier to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or the skylight needs at least open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your property with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will need proper extractor fan systems that vent out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Naenae

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory to all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is in line with current quality. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may need to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and also makes more easy to the household to keep heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 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 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Naenae Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface or ground water, and also stop it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to be equipped with effective drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from entering the property. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete 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 with Healthy Homes Standards. 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 variety of concerns to look over when conducting a house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For expert advice get in touch now and schedule your rental property house assessment.