Healthy Homes Assessment Ngaio

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 ensure that their Ngaio rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess the rental property you have in order to determine 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 the report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, and are fully qualified to evaluate each of 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, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Ngaio rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the property manager does not supply the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out which could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It is crucial to keep in mind that landlords who manage multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for severe violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct an house assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households homes in New Zealand and Ngaio, and research indicates that rental homes are most likely to be older, colder, 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 can have negative health results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who reported at least four major house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Ngaio rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of health issues. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control on Ngaio rental properties.

Begin now by calling about getting a Ngaio Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Ngaio

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in houses. A humid house costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap, then it’s most likely a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into the home need seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated whenever possible.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement of the building when the household is heated and cools so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will test every window and door in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Ngaio

Rental properties in Ngaio must have a fixed heating source that is able to heat the living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature 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), at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to top up with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it requirements to include a thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a central heating source, like the heat pump, it might just require some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Ngaio

Each living space within a rental home must include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation standard is about recognising that dried air can be more easy to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or the skylight requirements at least to open to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your house that houses a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need suitable extractor fans that vent to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Ngaio

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement on all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and it will make an easier task for the house to retain the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Ngaio Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is usually those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue, causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor 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 Ngaio

Property rental areas that are affected to The Healthy Homes Standard in Ngaio include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Ngaio for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to be able to examine when conducting a house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenant solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today and book your rental property house assessment.