Healthy Homes Assessment Naenae

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that their Naenae rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work which needs to be done, and offer an evaluation report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, we are completely certified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Naenae rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be completed inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they may receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

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

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It is also important to be aware that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have an home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households the property in New Zealand and Naenae, and research indicates that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who experience four or more key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the quality of Naenae rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and daily life because of diseases. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long run.

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 on Naenae rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Naenae

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside households. A cold house costs more to heat, which results in wasting money and energy.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the air is clear from a crack or a gap or crack, then it is most likely a gap or an opening that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out into the home need to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as far as possible.

There is no require to block up intentional holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the structure when the house heats and cools, in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will examine every window and door as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Naenae

Naenae rental properties should have a permanent heating source which can warm the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing fixed 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 the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat source, then it must have a thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might just require an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Naenae

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about acknowledging it is that dried air can be easier to heat and that a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable and do not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or skylight requirements for them to be in a position open to the outside while remaining at an open angle to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your home with shower, bath, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will require suitable extractor fans that vent to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is a healthy home

Insulation Naenae

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory in all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation is up to this new quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, as well as making it easier for the house to hold heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• 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 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Naenae Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is typically the concerns you don’t notice that could become a major issue, causing the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from entering the property. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Naenae

The areas of rental property that are affected by the Healthy Homes Standard in Naenae include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Naenae for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to check during an home review to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenant services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today and book your rental properties house evaluation.