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 must 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 must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work that needs to be done and provide a report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, as well as 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

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Ngaio rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be finished by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they will receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is executed, and it is updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It’s crucial to note that landlords who own multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for severe violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have an house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Ngaio, and research indicates that rental houses tend to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative health results, specifically for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and heart diseases. In addition, people who reported at least four major house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Improve the quality of Ngaio rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to diseases. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping in 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 may lead to dropping temperatures within households. A damp house will cost more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap that is, it’s most likely a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out within the house require seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated as far as imaginable.

There is no need to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the building when the household is heated and cools in order to let them be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will test every window and door during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Ngaio

Rental properties in Ngaio need to have a stable heating source that can heat the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat source, it needs to be equipped with an thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source like heat pumps, it may require an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard because they’re costly, not affordable to run, or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Ngaio

Every living space of a rental house must contain at minimum one open doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

This ventilation quality is all about understanding that dried air can be much easier to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or skylight needs to have the ability to open up to the outside while remaining set in an opening position to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your home with a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will require adequate extractor fans that are vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Ngaio

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement to all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation meets current quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, as well as making more easy for the house to hold warmth.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor 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

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the inside but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically the concerns you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the structure. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Ngaio

Property rental areas that are affected with Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Ngaio include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Ngaio for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to check in an house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including 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 a tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch now and schedule your rental properties house assessment.