Healthy Homes Assessment Ngaio

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that their Ngaio rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas 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 is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work that needs to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental property, we are completely qualified 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 or renewed contract is signed on a Ngaio rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be completed within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Ngaio rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

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

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It is updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It’s important to remember that landlords who manage multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for severe breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and request a home evaluation performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households homes in New Zealand and Ngaio, and research shows us that these rental houses tend to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally have lower quality than the homes of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative health outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who have reported at least four major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Ngaio rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and living because of illness. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long-term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Ngaio

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in houses. A draughty home costs more to heat, which results in wasting money and energy.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap that is, it is most likely a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into the house require to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped whenever imaginable.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for the movement of the structure when the home heats and cools, so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will test all doors and windows as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Ngaio

Rental properties in Ngaio must have a fixed heating source that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the existing fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it must have a thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source such as a heat pump, then it may require an update to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Ngaio

Each living space within a rental home must have at least one opening doors or windows to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about recognising how dry air will be less difficult to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or skylight requirements for them to be in a position open to the outside and remain set in an opening position to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your property with shower, bath cooker or any other moisture generating item will require adequate extractor fans that vent towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

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

A cozy dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Ngaio

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement on all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation is up to the new standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and it will make an easier task for the house to hold warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, 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, 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 the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Ngaio Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water and also stop it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s usually the things you don’t notice that could be a huge problem, causing damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from getting into the home. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Learn more about this 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 to Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Ngaio include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Ngaio for Rental Properties

There are many things to be able to examine when conducting an home review to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental properties home evaluation.