Healthy Homes Assessment Ngaio

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure 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 rentals must be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work needed to be completed. needs to be done, and provide an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes related fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, 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

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Ngaio rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be completed inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Ngaio rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current when the tenancy contract is executed, and it should be kept updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It is important to be aware that a landlord with multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are given for the most serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct a house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Ngaio, and research shows us that these rental homes tend to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than the houses of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who have reported four or more major housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the standard of Ngaio rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to diseases. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping for Ngaio rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Ngaio

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in households. A draughty house costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole and you can feel it, it is most likely a gap or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out from the house require to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

There is no need to block off gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for the movement of the structure as the house gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will test every window and door as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for well-being homes

Heating Ngaio

Rental properties in Ngaio require a reliable source of heating which can warm the living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it must be equipped with a thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a central heating source, like a heat pump, then it might require an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Ngaio

Every living space of a rental property has to have at least one opening doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

The ventilation standard is all about understanding that dry air will be much easier to heat and that a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore don’t need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or Skylight requirements at least of opening to the outside and remain fixed in an open position to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will require proper extractor fan systems that can be vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Ngaio

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory for all rent homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure the insulation meets current standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and also makes it easier to the house to keep warmth.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Ngaio Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s usually not apparent that it could become a major issue and end up causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between your floor and the ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Ngaio

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Ngaio include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Ngaio for Rental Properties

There are numerous things you should look for during a house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an Tenancy services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental properties home evaluation.