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 of July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Naenae rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks that requirements to be done and offer the report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes associated fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, we are fully certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Naenae rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be taken care of within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Naenae rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property which could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed. It should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s also important to keep in mind that a landlord with multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have an house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Naenae, and research indicates that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who reported four or more major house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Improve the quality of Naenae rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and living because of diseases. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping in Naenae rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Naenae

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in houses. A draughty house costs more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap, then it is likely a crack or crack that requirements sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out from the home need to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as much as imaginable.

You don’t need to block off holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the building as the household heats and cools, in order to let them be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will check the windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for well-being houses

Heating Naenae

Rental properties in Naenae require a reliable source of heat which can warm the main or largest living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A 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 an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat source, it requirements to be equipped with a thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. For most properties, larger 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 the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source, like the heat pump, it could require some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Naenae

Each liveable space in a rental home must contain at minimum one open doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

This ventilation standard is about recognising how dry air is much easier to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements to be able open to the outside and remain at an open angle in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your home that has a bath, shower, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will require suitable extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

Find out all the details about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is a healthy house

Insulation Naenae

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement in all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, as well as making much easier to allow the household to hold warmth.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Naenae Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s typically not apparent that it could become a major issue, causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to have effective drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Naenae

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

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Naenae for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things you should look for during an house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice, call today to book your rental property house evaluation.