Healthy Homes Assessment Ngaio

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks that requirements to be completed, and offer the report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, and are completely qualified to assess 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, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Ngaio rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a 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 comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they can receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is letting the property out, so it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current when the tenancy contract is signed. It should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s crucial to note that landlords with multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in large fines in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct an home evaluation performed for your rental property.

Get the full description of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Ngaio, and research shows us that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally have lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who reported at least four major home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improving the quality of Ngaio rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of diseases. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control within Ngaio rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss having a Ngaio Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Ngaio

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in households. A damp house costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or a clear draught out of a hole or gap that is, it is most likely a gap or hole that needs sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out into your home need sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped as far as possible.

There is no require to block off holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will inspect all doors and windows as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Ngaio

Rental properties in Ngaio should have a permanent source of heat which 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 minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat source, it must be equipped with the thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source, such as heat pumps, it may require some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard as they are either costly, not affordable to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Ngaio

Each liveable space in a rental property must contain at minimum one open door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation standard is about recognising how dried air can be more easy to heat and heat, and the property that is properly 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 thus do not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or skylight needs at least of opening to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your home that has shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will require adequate extractor fans that vent to 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 with high moisture.

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

A cozy dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Ngaio

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory on all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is in line with the new quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, as well as making it easier to allow the house to retain warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor 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 this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Ngaio Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is often the things you don’t notice that could be a huge problem, causing damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a location to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

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

An underground moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from entering the building. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Ngaio

Rental property areas affected through Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Ngaio include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Ngaio for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to check in a house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenancy services ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today to book your rental properties home assessment.