Healthy Homes Assessment Ngaio

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Ngaio rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely 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 the rental property you have in order to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks needed to be completed. needs to be completed, and offer an evaluation report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes connected fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, we are completely qualified to assess both 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 tenancy is signed for a Ngaio rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be finished by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Ngaio rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current when the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be maintained through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It is important to be aware that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for the most serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct a house inspection performed for your rental property.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Ngaio, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who experience at least four major issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Improve the quality of Ngaio rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and living due to health issues. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping within Ngaio rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Ngaio

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in homes. A humid home will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole and you are able to feel it, it’s probably a gap or hole which requirements sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out into the house need to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as much as imaginable.

There is no require to block gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow movement of the building as the home is heated and cools so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will examine all windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Ngaio

Rental properties in Ngaio need to have a stable heating source which can warm the main or largest living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it should be equipped with a thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like an air conditioner, it could need an upgrade to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Ngaio

Every living space of a rental home must have at least one opening window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation standard is all about acknowledging that dry air is much easier to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable and therefore are not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements to have the ability open to the outside and remain closed, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your home that has a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems that vent to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Ngaio

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and it will make much easier to the home to keep warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder part 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, underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Ngaio Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is typically those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem, causing damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of 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 to The Healthy Homes Standard in Ngaio include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Ngaio for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to look over in an home assessment to see if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property home evaluation.