Healthy Homes Assessment Naenae

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Naenae rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property and determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks needed to be completed. needs to be done, and offer the report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, and 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

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

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new or renewed lease is entered into on a Naenae rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who offer a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out, so it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it is finished.

It is also important to be aware that a landlord with multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are handed down for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and request a home evaluation performed on your rental property.

See the full details for the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households rent homes in New Zealand and Naenae, and research indicates that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than the houses of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who report four or more major issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Naenae rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and living because of illnesses. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught Control on 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 less temperature in homes. A humid home costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a gap or hole, then it is most likely a gap or hole that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out from the house need the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as imaginable.

There is no require to block off gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the household heats and cools, so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will inspect every window and door in the 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 healthy homes

Heating Naenae

Naenae rental properties need to have a stable source of heat that can warm the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC, even on the 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 as well as their mental health.

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the current fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it should be equipped with a thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source, like heat pumps, it might require a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Naenae

Every living space of the rental property should have at least one opening doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about understanding how dry air will be less difficult to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable , and thus are not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements to have the ability of opening to the outside, and stay closed, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your home with shower, bath, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will need proper extractor fan systems that vent towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Naenae

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement to all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation is in line with this new quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and it will make more easy for the house to retain warmth.

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

The "R" refers to 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 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest 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 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

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 also stop it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is frequently what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble and cause damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps in preventing 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

Rental property areas affected by Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Naenae include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Naenae for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to check in an home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenant solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today to book your rental property house evaluation.