Healthy Homes Assessment Ngaio

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Ngaio rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely certified by 1 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 satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks required. requirements to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, as well as fully certified to evaluate 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, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Ngaio rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be completed inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is crucial to be aware that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have a house assessment performed for your rental property.

Get the full description of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households from New Zealand and Ngaio, and research has shown that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who experience four or more key housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Ngaio rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and living due to illness. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping on Ngaio rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Ngaio

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in homes. A humid house will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the air is clear out of a hole or gap that is, it’s probably a gap or an opening that needs sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out into your house require seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no need to block gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement of the structure as the household is heated and cools to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will test all windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Ngaio

Rental properties in Ngaio must have a fixed source of heating which can warm the largest or main living room to at least 18degC, even during the most 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 source of heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether your current fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must have the thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source like the heat pump, it could need some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the quality since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Ngaio

Each living space within a rental property has to have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about recognising how dry air will be much easier to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable , and thus don’t require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or the skylight requirements to have the ability to open up to the outside, and stay at an open angle to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your home that has a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will need appropriate extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Ngaio

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory to all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation is in line with the new quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, as well as making it easier to allow the house to keep warmth.

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 can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Ngaio Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go, and stop it from coming inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is often what you don’t see that can become a big problem and cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water is able to go, and it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your apartment 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.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring 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

Rental property areas affected to the Healthy Homes Standards in Ngaio include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Ngaio for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to check when conducting the house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

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