Healthy Homes Assessment Ngaio

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure that their Ngaio rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks required. requirements to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, as well as completely qualified to assess 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 Ngaio rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on the Ngaio rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out which could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s also crucial to remember that landlords who have multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down only for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have a home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Ngaio, and research has shown that these rental houses tend to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who reported at least four major issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Improve the standard of Ngaio rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control within Ngaio rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss the Ngaio Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Ngaio

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A cold house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap and you are able to feel it, it’s likely to be a gap or hole which needs sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out within the home require to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever possible.

There is no need to block off gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement of the structure as the home gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will examine every window and door in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Ngaio

Rental properties in Ngaio require a reliable heating source that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the current permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it must include an thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source, like a heat pump, then it might just require a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard as they are either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Ngaio

Each liveable space in a rental house must include at least one open window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is about recognising it is that dry air will be much easier to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore do not need an opening door or window.

Each door, window or Skylight requirements at least open to the outside and remain fixed in an open position to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your home that has shower, bath cooker or any other humidity-generating items will need adequate extractor fans which are vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Ngaio

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory on all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation meets the new quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, as well as making more easy to the home to retain warmth.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Ngaio Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water, and prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s frequently not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble and cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from entering the building. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Find out all the details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Ngaio

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

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Ngaio for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to look over when conducting the home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a tenant services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental property house assessment.