Healthy Homes Assessment Naenae

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 now have to ensure their Naenae rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas that are 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 satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work that needs to be done, and offer an evaluation report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes associated fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, as well as completely certified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Naenae rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be done inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Naenae rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It’s important to note that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for the most serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in large fines in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and arrange to have a home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Naenae, and research suggests that rental houses tend to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who experience four or more major home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the quality of Naenae rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and living due to illnesses. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught stopping in Naenae rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss having a Naenae Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Naenae

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside homes. A humid house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole that is, it’s most likely a gap or hole which needs sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out into the house require sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped as far as imaginable.

You don’t need to block off holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for the movement of the structure when the household gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will examine all windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Naenae

Rental properties in Naenae must have a fixed source of heat which can warm the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if your current installed 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 are not considered to be acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat source, then it must include the thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a central heating source such as heat pumps, it might just require an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

See the full details on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Naenae

Each living space within a rental property must have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

A ventilation standard is about recognising the fact that dried air can be much easier to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable , and thus do not need an opening door or window.

Each door, window or skylight requirements to be able to open to the outside while remaining closed to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your home with a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture generating item will need suitable extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is an ideal home

Insulation Naenae

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory to all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and will also make it easier for the house to retain warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values required for your area

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

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

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

Naenae Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is frequently those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem that can cause damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from entering the building. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Naenae

The areas of rental property that are affected to the Healthy Homes Standard in Naenae include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Naenae for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to check in a home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an Tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional advice, call today to schedule your rental property house assessment.