Healthy Homes Assessment Ngaio

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 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 renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks required. requirements to be completed, and provide a report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’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 not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes relevant fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties we are completely qualified to evaluate 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, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Ngaio rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be done by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Ngaio rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they could be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property which could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it is updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It’s also important to keep in mind that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have an home assessment performed on your rental property.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households rent the property in New Zealand and Ngaio, and research has shown that these rental houses tend to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Additionally, those who have reported four or more major housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Improve the quality of Ngaio rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and living due to diseases. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control for Ngaio rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about the Ngaio Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Ngaio

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in households. A draughty home costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear out of a hole or gap that is, it’s most likely a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out of the house need the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated as far as possible.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow movement of the structure as the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will test every window and door in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Ngaio

Rental properties in Ngaio must have a fixed source of heating which can warm the living space to at least 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. 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 heating source needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must be equipped with a thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a central heating source, like an air conditioner, it might just require some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Ngaio

Each living space within the rental property should have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about understanding how dry air will be much easier to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or the skylight needs to have the ability to open up to the outside, but remain set in an opening position to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will need proper extractor fan systems that can be vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is a healthy house

Insulation Ngaio

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation meets the new quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, as well as making it easier to the home to keep the heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, more efficient the insulation.

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

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Ngaio Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water and also stop it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s often the things you don’t notice that could be a huge problem that can cause damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to have efficient drainage to remove storm water, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from entering the property. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Ngaio

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Ngaio for Rental Properties

There are many things to check when conducting a house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there 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 being on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to book your rental property home evaluation.