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 make sure their Naenae rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to check whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work which needs to be done and offer the report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, and are completely certified to evaluate 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, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Naenae rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be done inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Naenae rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they could be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it must be updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It’s also important to note that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given only for serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have a home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Naenae, and research has shown that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally have lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative health results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who have reported at least four major housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Enhancing the quality of Naenae rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and living due to health issues. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping in Naenae rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Naenae

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside houses. A draughty home will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or a clear draught from a gap or hole that is, it is likely to be a gap or an opening that needs sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into your house require seals. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated as far as possible.

You don’t require to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow movement of the building when the household heats and cools, to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will examine every window and door during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Naenae

Rental properties in Naenae should have a permanent source of heat that can warm the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The heating source needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it must have a thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as the heat pump, it could require an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Naenae

Every living space in the rental property should have at least one opening door or window to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

This ventilation quality is all about understanding that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore are not need an opening window or door.

Each door, window or Skylight needs for them to be in a position to open up to the outside while remaining set in an opening position in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your house that houses shower, bath cooker or any other moisture-producing item will require suitable extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Naenae

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement in all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation is in line with this new quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and also makes it easier to allow the household to hold heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of the 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

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Naenae Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is frequently those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem, causing the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

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

The ground-moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from rising into the property. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

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 Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Naenae for Rental Properties

There are many things to check in an home review to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental property house evaluation.