Healthy Homes Assessment Ngaio

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea 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 any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work required. needs to be done and provide the report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, we are fully qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Ngaio rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they may receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property which could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be current when the tenancy contract is executed, and it must be updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It is crucial to keep in mind that landlords who manage several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have a home assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Ngaio, and research has shown that these rental homes are likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who have reported four or more key home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Improving the standard of Ngaio rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould 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 Draught stopping in Ngaio rental properties.

Start now and call about having a Ngaio Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Ngaio

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside households. A humid home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap that is, it’s likely to be a gap or an opening that needs sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out into the home need to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as far as possible.

You don’t need to block holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for the movement of the structure as the house is heated and cools so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will check all doors and windows during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Ngaio

Rental properties in Ngaio need to have a stable source of heating that can warm the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC, even during 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 health and mental outlook.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump it must include an thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source like heat pumps, it might require a top up to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Ngaio

Each living space within a rental home must have at least one opening door or window to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about understanding the fact that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus don’t need an opening door or window.

Each door, window or the skylight requirements to be able open to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your house that houses a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will need appropriate extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Ngaio

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required on all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and will also make much easier for the home to hold heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor 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 the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is usually what you don’t see that could become a major issue and end up causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between your floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from entering the property. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Ngaio

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through The Healthy Homes Standard in Ngaio include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Ngaio for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to check when conducting the home review to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does 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 house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenant services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert assistance, get in touch today to book your rental property house assessment.