Healthy Homes Assessment Ngaio

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure 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 rentals are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

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

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

We will evaluate your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks required. needs to be completed and provide a report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties we are completely qualified to assess 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, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Ngaio rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be completed within 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they could be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that landlords who have multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have a house assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Ngaio, and research shows us that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. In addition, people who experience at least four major home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Ngaio rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught Control in Ngaio rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Ngaio

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside houses. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a crack or a gap that is, it is likely a crack or hole that needs sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out of the house require seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

There is no need to block off gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the structure as the house is heated and cools to allow them to be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will inspect all windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for well-being homes

Heating Ngaio

Ngaio rental properties require a reliable heating source that can warm the largest or main living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat source, then it must be equipped with the thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source such as a heat pump, then it might just require an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Ngaio

Every living space of a rental property has to have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation quality is about recognising that dry air will be less difficult to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable and are not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door or the skylight requirements to be able open to the outside while remaining set in an opening position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your house that houses a bath, shower, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will need appropriate extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Ngaio

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory to all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure the insulation meets the new quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, as well as making more easy for the home to retain heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all area 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Ngaio Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s often what you don’t see that could be a huge problem that can cause damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have effective drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a place to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the home. It also helps in preventing 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

Property rental areas that are affected to The Healthy Homes Standard in Ngaio include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Ngaio for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to look over when conducting the home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenancy services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today and book your rental properties house assessment.