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 are now required to ensure 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 rentals must be completely in compliance by July 1st 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 satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks required. needs to be completed and provide an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties we are fully qualified for both 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, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Naenae rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be completed within 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property It could also be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate when the tenancy contract is signed. It is updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It’s also crucial to remember that landlords who manage several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for the most serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have a home evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Naenae, and research has shown that these rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating and are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who report four or more key housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

The improvement in the standard of Naenae rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of illness. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long run.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Naenae

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside homes. A cold home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or a clear draught from a gap or hole that is, it is most likely a gap or crack that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out within the home require the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated whenever possible.

There is no need to cover up holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow movement of the structure when the home is heated and cools so that they can still be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will check every window and door during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for healthy homes

Heating Naenae

Naenae rental properties need to have a stable heating source that can heat the living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the existing permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat source, then it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as heat pumps, it might need an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Naenae

Each liveable space in the rental property should include at least one open door or window to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation standard is about recognising it is that dry air is more easy to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

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

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your home with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will require appropriate extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Naenae

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory for all rent homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure the insulation meets current standard. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and also makes an easier task to allow the household to keep the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of the 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

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Naenae Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go and prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s typically what you don’t see that could be a huge problem and cause damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between floorboards and ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor 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

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with the Healthy Homes Standards 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 myriad of things to be able to examine during the home review to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property home assessment.