Healthy Homes Assessment Naenae

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Naenae rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be completely certified by 1 July 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 check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks needed to be completed. needs to be done and offer a report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes connected fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re fully certified 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 brand new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Naenae rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be completed within 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they can be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out and it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It should be kept updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s also crucial to be aware that landlords with multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for severe violations. Those who have more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with huge fines, in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have an house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Naenae, and research shows us that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four major issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Naenae rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and living because of illnesses. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping within Naenae rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss having a Naenae Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Naenae

Draughts may lead to less temperature in houses. A damp house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a hole or gap that is, it’s likely a crack or an opening that needs sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out into the house require to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped as far as possible.

There is no require to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement within the structure when the household is heated and cools in order to let them be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will test every window and door in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Naenae

Naenae rental properties should have a permanent source of heat that is able to heat the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs 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 for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the existing fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must be equipped with the thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a central heating source such as an air conditioner, it may need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the quality as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Naenae

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one openable door or window to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about recognising it is that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable and therefore do not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or the skylight needs to be able to open to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your property with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will need adequate extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Naenae

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required on all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure the insulation meets this new standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and it will make it easier to the home to hold warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest part 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

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Naenae Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the inside; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow, and prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is frequently what you don’t see that could be a huge problem and cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have effective 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 that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from getting into the property. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring 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

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Naenae for Rental Properties

There are many things to look over when conducting the house review to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice, call today and book your rental properties house evaluation.