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 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 rentals must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work needed to be completed. needs to be completed, and provide an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes associated fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, as well as completely certified 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 new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Ngaio rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be finished within 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they could receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it is finished.

It is also important to be aware that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and request a house assessment done on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Ngaio, and research has shown that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who report four or more major home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improve the standard of Ngaio rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to 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, as well Draught Control for Ngaio rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss getting a Ngaio Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Ngaio

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within homes. A humid house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap and you are able to feel it, it is most likely a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of your home require seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as much as possible.

There is no require to block up intentional gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement within the building when the house heats and cools, so that they can still be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will inspect every window and door during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Ngaio

Ngaio rental properties should have a permanent source of heating that is able to heat the living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the current fixed heater(s) are adequate 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 suitable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it should be equipped with the thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a central heating source such as the heat pump, it may need a top up to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Ngaio

Every living space of a rental property has to have at least one opening doors or windows to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about understanding 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 rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable and are not need an opening window or door.

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

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home with a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture generating item will need suitable extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Ngaio

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required on all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation is in line with current quality. In some cases, 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 decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and also makes more easy for the house to keep the heat.

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

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

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

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

Ngaio Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually what you don’t see that can become a big problem that can cause damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from rising into the home. 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

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

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Ngaio for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to be able to examine in a house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a Tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice, call today to schedule your rental property home assessment.