Healthy Homes Assessment Ngaio

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know 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 any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas 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’ll advise you or your property manager about any work which needs to be completed, and provide an assessment report that includes all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors for rental properties, 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

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Ngaio rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be taken care of within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on the Ngaio rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they may be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

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

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and must be updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It is important to keep in mind that landlords who have multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are reserved for serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have an house assessment done on your rental property.

Find the full information on this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Ngaio, and research indicates that rental houses tend to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who reported four or more major housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

The improvement in the standard of Ngaio rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less maintenance costs 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, and Draught-stopping within Ngaio rental properties.

Begin now by calling about having a Ngaio Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Ngaio

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A draughty home will cost more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap and you can feel it, it’s likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out of the house require seals. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched as far as imaginable.

You don’t 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 movement within the structure as the house is heated and cools to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will test the windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Ngaio

Ngaio rental properties need to have a stable source of heat that can warm the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it requirements to be equipped with the thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and efficient. 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 small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source such as heat pumps, it might just need a top up in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard because they’re costly, not affordable to run, or unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Ngaio

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one opening door or window to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about acknowledging how dried air can be less difficult to heat and that 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 are not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or skylight needs to be able to open to the outside and remain set in an opening position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your home that has a bath, shower, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans that vent towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Ngaio

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation is up to current quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, as well as making an easier task to allow the household to keep warmth.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

The "R" stands for 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 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of the 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 and underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of 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 It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and stop it from coming into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s often the things you don’t notice that can become a big problem that can cause damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from entering the building. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Ngaio

Property rental areas that are affected with Healthy Homes Standards. 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 to be able to examine when conducting a home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice get in touch today and book your rental property house assessment.