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 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 completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks required. needs to be completed and provide a report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under 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 healthier homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, and are fully qualified to assess 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, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Ngaio rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be completed by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they may be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it is updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It’s also important to be aware that landlords with multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved only for serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with significant fines and still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have an house evaluation performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households rent homes in New Zealand and Ngaio, and research indicates that rental houses are likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the houses of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative health results, specifically for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who have reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

The improvement in the quality of Ngaio rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to diseases. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping 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 draughty home costs more to heat, which results in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap that is, it is likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out of your house require sealing. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no need to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement of the structure when the home gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will examine every window and door as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Ngaio

Ngaio rental properties must have a fixed heating source that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat source, then it must have an 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 or flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source like the heat pump, it could need a top up to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

See the full details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Ngaio

Each living space within a rental house must have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about recognising that dry air will be more easy to heat and that 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 door or window.

Each window, door , or Skylight needs at least of opening to the outside and remain set in an opening position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your house that houses a bath, shower and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will require suitable extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Ngaio

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory on all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and will also make more easy for the house to retain warmth.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

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 about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface or ground water, and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s usually what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from getting into the property. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Find out all the 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 the Healthy Homes Standards in Ngaio include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Ngaio for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to check when conducting a home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice, call now and schedule your rental property home evaluation.