Healthy Homes Assessment Ngaio

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Ngaio rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

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

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties and are completely qualified for 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, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Ngaio rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be completed inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on the Ngaio rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It’s also crucial to remember that a landlord with multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and make arrangements to have an house evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households homes in New Zealand and Ngaio, and research indicates that rental houses tend to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who experience at least four major issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Ngaio rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and daily life because of diseases. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping within Ngaio rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Ngaio

Draughts may lead to less temperature in houses. A cold home will cost more to heat, which results in wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the air is clear from a gap or hole that is, it’s probably a gap or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out of the house require sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched whenever imaginable.

There is no need to block gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement of the structure as the house warms and cools so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will test all windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Ngaio

Rental properties in Ngaio must have a fixed source of heating which can warm the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to top up with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat pump then it must have an thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, such as heat pumps, it could need an upgrade to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Ngaio

Every living space in a rental property has to have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about recognising it is that dried air can be much easier to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus are not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or skylight needs for them to be in a position to open to the outside while remaining set in an opening position, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your property with a bath, shower and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will require suitable extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Ngaio

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement to all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation is up to the new standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and will also make more easy for the household to hold warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Ngaio Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the inside but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s often not apparent that it could be a huge problem and cause damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water is able to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from getting into the building. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Ngaio

The areas of rental property that are affected through The Healthy Homes Standards in Ngaio include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Ngaio for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns you should look for when conducting a house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property house evaluation.