Healthy Homes Assessment Naenae

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure their Naenae rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about the work needed to be completed. requirements to be completed and provide the report with all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties we are completely qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Naenae rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they may be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It must be updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s important to be aware that landlords who have multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are handed down for severe violations. Those who have more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result 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 make arrangements to have an home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Naenae, and research shows us that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who reported four or more key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Naenae rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to illness. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping on Naenae rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Naenae Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Naenae

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside homes. A cold house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a crack or a gap that is, it is most likely a gap or hole that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from the home need seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched whenever imaginable.

You don’t need to block gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow movement of the building as the home warms and cools to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will check every window and door during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for healthy homes

Heating Naenae

Rental properties in Naenae need to have a stable source of heat that can heat the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the existing fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it should have the thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a central heating source like heat pumps, it might just require an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Naenae

Each liveable space in a rental home must include at least one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about recognising that dried air can be less difficult to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t liveable , and thus don’t need an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or skylight requirements for them to be in a position open to the outside and remain closed in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your property with shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will require appropriate extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

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

A warm dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Naenae

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement in all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure the insulation meets the new standard. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, as well as making much easier for the house to hold heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Naenae Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside but you must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go and stop it from coming into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s often what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from rising into the structure. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor 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 Naenae

Property rental areas that are affected to Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Naenae include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Naenae for Rental Properties

There are many things you should look for during the house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional advice, call today and book your rental properties house evaluation.