Healthy Homes Assessment Ngaio

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must ensure that their Ngaio rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work 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.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re completely certified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Ngaio rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be finished by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they may be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

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

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

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

It is clear that failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct a home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households rent the property in New Zealand and Ngaio, and research indicates that rental homes are likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who report four or more major housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Ngaio rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and living due to diseases. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control for Ngaio rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss having a Ngaio Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Ngaio

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside houses. A humid house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a gap or hole or crack, then it’s most likely a gap or crack that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out of your home require to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent possible.

There is no need to block holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure as the house is heated and cools so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will examine the windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Ngaio

Rental properties in Ngaio need to have a stable source of heat which can warm the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the existing fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to top up with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it should have an thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. In most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a central heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might just require an upgrade to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Ngaio

Every living space in the rental property should contain at minimum one open doors or windows to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation standard is about recognising that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or skylight needs at least open to the outside and remain at an open angle in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your house that houses shower, bath and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will need proper extractor fan systems that can be vented towards the outside. This 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 with high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Ngaio

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required for all rent homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation is in line with this new standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and it will make more easy for the house to keep the heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor 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 to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is frequently the things you don’t notice that could be a huge problem that can cause damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

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

An underground moisture barrier typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from entering the property. 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

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

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Ngaio for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to look over when conducting an home review to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert advice get in touch today and book your rental properties house evaluation.