Healthy Homes Assessment Ngaio

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must make sure that their Ngaio rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work which requirements to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, and are completely certified for 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 new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Ngaio rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be completed within 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they may receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property which could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It is important to keep in mind that landlords who manage several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property call us now and request an home inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households from New Zealand and Ngaio, and research shows us that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who report four or more key house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Improve the standard of Ngaio rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping 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 may lead to low temperatures inside homes. A draughty home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught 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 coming in or a clear draught out of a hole or gap, then it is most likely a gap or hole which requirements sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out within your home require sealing. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

You don’t require to block off holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement within the building as the household heats and cools, in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will inspect all doors and windows during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Ngaio

Ngaio rental properties must have a fixed source of heating that can heat the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat source, it must have a thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a central heating source, such as an air conditioner, it may need an upgrade to ensure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Ngaio

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about understanding that dry air is less difficult to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t living spaces and therefore are not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or skylight needs to have the ability of opening to the outside, but remain at an open angle to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your property with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will require suitable extractor fans that are vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

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

A warm dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Ngaio

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required to all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation meets current standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might require to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, as well as making an easier task to the home to keep heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Ngaio Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is typically not apparent that it could be a huge problem that can cause damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to have efficient drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a place to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from entering the home. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete 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 Standards in Ngaio include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Ngaio for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to be able to examine during a house assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional advice, call today to book your rental property home assessment.