Healthy Homes Assessment Naenae

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords must make sure that their Naenae rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks needed to be completed. needs 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 breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes related fines.

We’re fully 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, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Naenae rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be completed inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Naenae rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they may receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property and it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It’s also important to be aware that landlords who own multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in large fines in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and request an home assessment performed on your rental property.

Get the full description of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households rent from New Zealand and Naenae, and research suggests that rental houses tend to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the houses of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and heart diseases. In addition, people who reported at least four key house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the standard of Naenae rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and living due to health issues. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping in Naenae rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about receiving a Naenae Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Naenae

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A humid home will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a hole or gap that is, it’s probably a gap or crack that needs sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out from the home need to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped whenever imaginable.

There is no require to block gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement within the structure as the household heats and cools, so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will check the windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Naenae

Naenae rental properties require a reliable source of heat that can warm the largest or main living room to at least 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), then it must have the thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a central heating source, such as a heat pump, then it could require an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Naenae

Each living space within the rental property should have at least one opening window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about understanding how dry air is much easier to heat and that a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable and don’t need an opening door or window.

Each door, window or the skylight needs at least to open to the outside, and stay closed to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your home with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will require proper extractor fan systems that can be vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Naenae

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure the insulation meets current standard. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, as well as making it easier for the household to hold warmth.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest area of 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.

Naenae Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water, and also stop it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s frequently the concerns you don’t notice that could be a huge problem, causing damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to have efficient drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water is able to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and the ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the building. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

See the full details of The 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 through Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Naenae include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Naenae for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to look over when conducting a house assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an Tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For professional advice, call today to schedule your rental properties house evaluation.