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 any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully certified by 1 July 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 determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks required. requirements to be completed and offer an assessment report that includes all the details 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 conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, and are fully qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

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 work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s also crucial to be aware that landlords with multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for severe violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and arrange to have a house evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households from New Zealand and Ngaio, and research has shown that these rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. In addition, people who report four or more key home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Ngaio rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to health issues. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping in Ngaio rental properties.

Begin now by calling about getting a Ngaio Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Ngaio

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within houses. A cold house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole and you are able to feel it, it’s likely to be a gap or crack that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out within your house require the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as imaginable.

You don’t require to block off gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the home gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will inspect all windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for well-being houses

Heating Ngaio

Rental properties in Ngaio must have a fixed heating source that is able to heat the living room to at least 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the existing fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump it needs to include a thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a central heating source like a heat pump, then it may require some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Ngaio

Every living space of a rental home must have at least one opening door or window to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

This ventilation standard is all about acknowledging it is that dried air can be much easier to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or the skylight requirements to have the ability open to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your home that has shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture generating item will require appropriate extractor fans that vent towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Ngaio

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory for all rent houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is in line with this new quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and it will make it easier to allow the house to hold heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation can withstand 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 the 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 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Ngaio Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow and prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s usually what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a location to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Find out all the details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Ngaio

Rental property areas affected through The Healthy Homes Standards in Ngaio include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Ngaio for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to be able to examine in a home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenant solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today to book your rental properties home assessment.