Healthy Homes Assessment Ngaio

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure their Ngaio rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must 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 will assess 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 of the tasks needed to be completed. needs to be completed and provide an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes relevant fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties as well as completely certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Ngaio rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be taken care of within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed lease is entered into on a Ngaio rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty up to $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as being the person leasing the property out which could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it must be updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It’s also crucial to note that a landlord who have several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are reserved for severe violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have a home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Ngaio, and research shows us that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally have lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Additionally, those who have reported at least four key house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Improving the standard of Ngaio rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and living due to diseases. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long-term.

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

Contact us now to discuss 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 draughty home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap and you are able to feel it, it is likely to be a gap or hole which requirements sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out within your home need sealing. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as possible.

You don’t require to block off gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow movement of the structure as the house heats and cools, so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will test the windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Ngaio

Rental properties in Ngaio require a reliable source of heating that is able to heat the main or largest living space to at least 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the existing fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source, like heat pumps, it might need some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality as they are either costly, not affordable to run, or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

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 or bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about recognising how dry air will be less difficult to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus don’t need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or skylight needs for them to be in a position of opening to the outside and remain at an open angle, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will require suitable extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

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

A warm dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Ngaio

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory for all rent homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure the insulation meets current standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and it will make an easier task for the household to hold the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation withstands 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 remainder 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

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

Ngaio Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s often not apparent that it could be a huge problem that can cause damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor 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 Ngaio

Areas of rental properties that are impacted by Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Ngaio include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Ngaio for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to be able to examine in the home assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For specialist guidance, contact us today and book your rental properties house evaluation.