Healthy Homes Assessment Ngaio

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? 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 renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work that needs to be completed and offer a report with all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach 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 connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, and are completely certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Ngaio rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be finished inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new or renewed lease is entered into on a Ngaio rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant could be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who provide a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property which could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s also important to note that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for severe breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and arrange to have an house evaluation performed for your rental property.

Check out the complete details of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households rent from New Zealand and Ngaio, and research indicates that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative health results, specifically for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who have reported four or more key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Enhancing the standard of Ngaio rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and daily life due to health issues. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as 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 increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within households. A damp house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap and you are able to feel it, it’s likely a crack or hole which needs sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out of your home require seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent possible.

There is no need to block holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement within the structure as the home heats and cools, to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will inspect the windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Ngaio

Rental properties in Ngaio must have a fixed source of heat which can warm the main or largest living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it needs to be equipped with a thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain 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 like heat pumps, it could require a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality as they are either costly, not affordable to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

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 opening doors or windows to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about recognising the fact that dry air is much easier to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus don’t need an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or skylight needs at least open to the outside while remaining closed in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your house that houses shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will need appropriate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Ngaio

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement in all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and also makes it easier to allow the house to hold heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and 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

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Ngaio Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the inside it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow, and stop it from coming into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s usually the things you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have effective drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a place to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from rising into the building. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor 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 through Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Ngaio include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Ngaio for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to be able to examine when conducting the home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an Tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today and book your rental properties house evaluation.