Healthy Homes Assessment Ngaio

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 must make sure that their Ngaio rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks needed to be completed. needs to be completed and offer the report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes associated fines.

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, as well as completely qualified to evaluate 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 tenancy is signed on a Ngaio rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be done by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Ngaio rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It is important to remember that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are reserved only for serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in huge fines, in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and make arrangements to have a house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households from New Zealand and Ngaio, and research shows us that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Furthermore, people who experience four or more key house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Improving the quality of Ngaio rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and living due to illness. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught Control within Ngaio rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about receiving a Ngaio Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Ngaio

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within households. A cold house costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap that is, it is probably a gap or hole which requirements sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out into your house need seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated as much as imaginable.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow movement of the structure as the home warms and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will test all windows and doors as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Ngaio

Ngaio rental properties need to have a stable source of heat that is able to heat the living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. 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 heating source needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it needs to be equipped with an thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source like heat pumps, it may require a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Ngaio

Each liveable space in the rental property should have at least one openable window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about recognising it is that dried air can be much easier to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore do not require an opening window or door.

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

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your home that has shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will need appropriate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Ngaio

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required for all rent homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and also makes an easier task to the house to hold warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better 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, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Ngaio Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go and also stop it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s typically what you don’t see that can become a big problem, causing damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to have efficient drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from rising into the building. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Ngaio

Rental property areas affected through the Healthy Homes Standard in Ngaio include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Ngaio for Rental Properties

There are numerous things you should look for in an home assessment to see if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenant solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert advice get in touch now and schedule your rental properties house assessment.