Healthy Homes Assessment Ngaio

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure that their Ngaio rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to 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 if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks that requirements to be completed and offer an evaluation report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors for rental properties, we are fully certified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Ngaio rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be completed by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Ngaio rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing 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 before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and is updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is also important to be aware that landlords who have multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved only for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have a house assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Ngaio, and research shows us that these rental houses tend to be older, colder, have less efficient heating and are of lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who reported four or more key housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Ngaio rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping for Ngaio rental properties.

Start now and call about having a Ngaio Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Ngaio

Draughts may lead to less temperature in households. A cold house costs more to heat, which results in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the air is clear from a gap or hole or crack, then it is most likely a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out of the home require seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for the movement of the building as the home is heated and cools so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will test every window and door in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

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

Heating Ngaio

Ngaio rental properties need to have a stable source of heating that can heat the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat source, then it must include the thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, such as 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 to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Ngaio

Every living space of the rental property should have at least one opening doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

This ventilation quality is all about acknowledging it is that dry air is much easier to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and therefore are not require an opening door or window.

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

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your house that houses a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will require suitable extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is a healthy house

Insulation Ngaio

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory to all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and it will make much easier to allow the household to hold the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder area 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Ngaio Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water and also stop it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s often the concerns you don’t notice that can become a big problem that can cause damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from entering the property. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Ngaio

The areas of rental property that are affected by the Healthy Homes Standard in Ngaio include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Ngaio for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to look over in the house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional advice get in touch now and schedule your rental properties house evaluation.