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? The landlords are now required 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 certified by 1 July 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 whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks that requirements to be done and provide a report with all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in 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 $7200 plus any additional healthier homes related fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, as well as completely certified to assess 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, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Ngaio rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property which could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current when the tenancy contract is completed, and is updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s crucial to remember that a landlord who own multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are given for severe violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct an house evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households the property in New Zealand and Ngaio, and research suggests that rental homes are most likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating and are of lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. In addition, people who experience at least four major house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Improving the quality of Ngaio rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and living due to health issues. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Control within Ngaio rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Ngaio

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in houses. A draughty home will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the air is clear out of a hole or gap and you can feel it, it’s likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit into your home require to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever imaginable.

You don’t need to block off holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for the movement of the building when the home is heated and cools in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will inspect all doors and windows during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for healthy homes

Heating Ngaio

Ngaio rental properties require a reliable source of heating that can heat the largest or main living space to a minimum of 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 well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the current installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it requirements to be equipped with the thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source, such as an air conditioner, it might just require some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the standard as they are either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Ngaio

Each living space within the rental property should contain at minimum one open doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about recognising it is that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore don’t need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or skylight requirements to have the ability open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your property with shower, bath, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will need suitable extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Ngaio

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required in all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation meets current quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, as well as making it easier to allow the home to keep the heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Ngaio Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s often the concerns you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to have efficient drainage to remove storm water, surface water and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from getting into the home. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor 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 to Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Ngaio include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Ngaio for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to look over in an house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a tenant services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today to book your rental property home evaluation.