Healthy Homes Assessment Ngaio

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure their Ngaio rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work which needs to be completed and provide the report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of 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 up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re completely certified to evaluate 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 new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Ngaio rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be finished by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease contract as the person letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate when the tenancy contract is signed. It is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is important to remember that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with massive fines as well as still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have a house evaluation performed for your rental property.

See the full details for the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Ngaio, and research shows us that these rental homes tend to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative health results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who have reported at least four major issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Ngaio rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and living because of illness. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping for Ngaio rental properties.

Start now and call about the Ngaio Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Ngaio

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside homes. A cold home costs more to heat, which results in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a crack or a gap that is, it’s probably a gap or hole that needs sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out into your home need the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent possible.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the household heats and cools, in order to let them be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will test all doors and windows during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for well-being homes

Heating Ngaio

Ngaio rental properties should have a permanent source of heat that can warm the living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the current fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it needs to have the thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a central heating source, like heat pumps, it might need some additional energy to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the quality because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Ngaio

Every living space in a rental property has to include at least one open doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is about recognising that dry air is more easy to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or the skylight needs for them to be in a position to open to the outside and remain closed in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will require proper extractor fan systems that are vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Ngaio

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement to all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation meets the new quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and also makes it easier for the home to hold heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, 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 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Ngaio Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just 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 is about damp and water, it is often those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem and end up causing damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a location to go and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

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

An underground moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the home. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Ngaio

The areas of rental property that are affected with The Healthy Homes Standards in Ngaio include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Ngaio for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to check when conducting an home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the Tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For professional advice, call today to schedule your rental property house assessment.