Healthy Homes Assessment Ngaio

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? 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 rental properties are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work which needs to be completed and provide an evaluation 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 violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties as well as fully certified to evaluate both 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, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Ngaio rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Ngaio rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property and 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 accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s crucial to be aware that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have a home assessment done for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households rent the property in New Zealand and Ngaio, and research has shown that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who experience at least four major issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Ngaio rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and living because of illnesses. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping in Ngaio rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Ngaio

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside houses. A damp home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a crack or a gap or crack, then it’s most likely a gap or hole which requirements sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out within the house require seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated as much as imaginable.

There is no need to block gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement within the building when the house is heated and cools to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will check the windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

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

Heating Ngaio

Ngaio rental properties should have a permanent source of heating that can warm the living space to at least 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the current installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it should have the thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a central heating source, such as the heat pump, it might just require an upgrade to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Ngaio

Every living space in a rental property must contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about recognising it is that dry air will be easier to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus are not require an opening door or window.

Each door, window or Skylight requirements at least to open up to the outside, but remain at an open angle in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your house that houses shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture generating item will require suitable extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Ngaio

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement for all rent houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure the insulation meets this new quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and will also make more easy to allow the home to retain the heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation can withstand 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 rest 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Ngaio Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move and stop it from coming into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s usually not apparent that it could become a major issue and cause damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to remove rainwater, storm water and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from entering the building. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about 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 to the Healthy Homes Standards in Ngaio include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Ngaio for Rental Properties

There are many things you should look for in a house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the Tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property home assessment.