Healthy Homes Assessment Ngauranga

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? Landlords must make sure their Ngauranga rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas 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’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks that needs to be done and offer the report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, as well as 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, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Ngauranga rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be completed within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new or renewed lease is entered into on a Ngauranga rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they may receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as being the person leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate when the tenancy contract is signed. It should be kept updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It’s crucial to remember that a landlord with several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are handed down for the most serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property call us now and request an house evaluation performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households from New Zealand and Ngauranga, and research suggests that rental houses tend to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than the homes of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who reported at least four key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Improving the standard of Ngauranga rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to illness. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping within Ngauranga rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Ngauranga Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Ngauranga

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in houses. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a hole or gap or crack, then it’s likely a crack or hole which needs sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out within the home require sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent possible.

There is no require to cover up gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow movement of the building as the household heats and cools, so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than securing. We will inspect all windows and doors as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Ngauranga

Rental properties in Ngauranga should have a permanent source of heating that is able to heat the largest or main living space to at least 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if your current installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to top up with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat source, then it must be equipped with the thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. For most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as a heat pump, then it might just require some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard because they’re costly, not affordable to run, and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Ngauranga

Each liveable space in the rental property should include at least one open window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about recognising it is that dry air is more easy to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t liveable , and thus don’t require an opening door or window.

Each door, window or Skylight requirements to have the ability to open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your house that houses shower, bath cooker or any other moisture-producing item will require adequate extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Ngauranga

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation is in line with the new standard. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and it will make an easier task to allow the house to hold heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Ngauranga Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move and stop it from coming into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s usually what you don’t see that can become a big problem that can cause the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to remove rainwater, storm water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between your flooring and the ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from getting into the building. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Ngauranga

Rental property areas affected by Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Ngauranga include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Ngauranga for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to look over when conducting an home assessment to see if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today to book your rental properties home evaluation.