Healthy Homes Assessment Ngauranga

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure their Ngauranga rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully 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 evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work required. requirements to be completed, and offer a report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, and are completely qualified to assess both 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, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Ngauranga rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be done inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Ngauranga rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it is updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It is crucial to keep in mind that landlords who own multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and request a home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households rent from New Zealand and Ngauranga, and research indicates that rental houses are likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and have lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who reported four or more major home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Improve the standard of Ngauranga rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of diseases. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

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 Ngauranga rental properties.

Start now and call about receiving a Ngauranga Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Ngauranga

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside households. A damp home costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a crack or a gap or crack, then it’s most likely a gap or hole that requirements sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within your home require the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched as far as imaginable.

You don’t need to block off gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow movement of the building when the home heats and cools, so that they can still be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will examine all windows and doors in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Ngauranga

Ngauranga rental properties require a reliable source of heat that is able to heat the main or largest living space to at least 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the current permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it should have a thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source such as an air conditioner, it could require a top up to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Ngauranga

Every living space of a rental property has to contain at minimum one open door or window to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about understanding it is that dry air will be much easier to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable , and thus do not require an opening door or window.

Each door, window or Skylight needs to have the ability to open up to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your home that has a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will require suitable extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is an ideal home

Insulation Ngauranga

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory for all rent houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation is up to this new quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and it will make more easy for the household to hold warmth.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and 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

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Ngauranga Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the inside It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go and prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s typically those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue, causing damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have effective drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from rising into the building. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor 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 Ngauranga

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Ngauranga for Rental Properties

There are many things to be able to examine when conducting the house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental properties home assessment.