Healthy Homes Assessment Naenae

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Naenae rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully in compliance by July 1st 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 satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks that needs to be done and provide a report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for 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 or renewed tenancy is signed for a Naenae rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be completed within 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It’s crucial to be aware that landlords who manage several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for the most serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct an home evaluation performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households from New Zealand and Naenae, and research has shown that these rental homes tend to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who report at least four key house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Naenae rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and living due to health issues. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control within 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 can lead to low temperatures inside homes. A cold house costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap, then it’s probably a gap or hole which requirements sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of your home need to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no need to block gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement of the building as the home is heated and cools in order to let them be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will test the 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.

Proper heating is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Naenae

Rental properties in Naenae should have a permanent heating source which can warm the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it should be equipped with a thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as a heat pump, then it could need an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

See the full details on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Naenae

Each living space within a rental house must have at least one opening window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about acknowledging how the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

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

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will need appropriate extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Naenae

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory for all rent homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation meets the new standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and will also make much easier to allow the home to hold warmth.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation is able to resist 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 part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Naenae Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is usually what you don’t see that could become a major issue, causing damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to remove storm water, surface water, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Find out all the 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 to the 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 numerous things you should look for in the home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

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

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an Tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For expert guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental property home evaluation.