Healthy Homes Assessment Ngaio

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Ngaio rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks that needs to be completed, and offer the report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes associated fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re completely qualified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new or renewed contract is signed on a Ngaio rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be completed by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed lease is entered into on a Ngaio rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who own multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given only for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have an home evaluation performed on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Ngaio, and research shows us that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as heart diseases. Additionally, those who experience at least four major home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Ngaio rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of diseases. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping for Ngaio rental properties.

Begin now by calling about having a Ngaio Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Ngaio

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside households. A draughty house costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable 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 probably a gap or crack that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out from the home need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as imaginable.

There is no require to block holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the household is heated and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will examine all windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for healthy homes

Heating Ngaio

Rental properties in Ngaio require a reliable heating source that can warm the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the current installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it needs to have an thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source like a heat pump, then it might require an update 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 effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Check out the complete details for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Ngaio

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one opening doors or windows to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about understanding how dried air can be less difficult to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus don’t need an opening door or window.

Each door, window or skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open to the outside, and stay at an open angle in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will need suitable extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Ngaio

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required to all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and will also make more easy to allow the house to hold the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better 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 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Ngaio Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s usually not apparent that it can become a big problem that can cause damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from getting into the home. It also helps in preventing 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 Ngaio

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Ngaio include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Ngaio for Rental Properties

There are many things to check during a house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today and book your rental property house evaluation.