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? The landlords are now required to make sure their Ngaio rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work which requirements to be completed and offer an assessment report that includes 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 in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes associated fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties and are fully qualified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Ngaio rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the property manager does not supply the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out and it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed. It is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s important to remember that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct an house assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Ngaio, and research indicates that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who reported four or more key housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Improve the standard 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 diseases. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping on Ngaio rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about getting a Ngaio Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Ngaio

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within households. A cold house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap, then it’s most likely a gap or hole which requirements sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into the home need the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as much as imaginable.

There is no need to block gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the structure as the home warms and cools in order to let them be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will check the windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Ngaio

Rental properties in Ngaio must have a fixed source of heat that is able to heat the living room to at least 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump, then it must be equipped with the thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, like the heat pump, it might require a top up to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Ngaio

Every living space in a rental property has to have at least one openable window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation quality is about recognising how dried air can be easier to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus are not require an opening window or door.

Each door, window or Skylight needs to have the ability of opening to the outside and remain fixed in an open position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your house that houses shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require appropriate extractor fans which are vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Ngaio

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory to all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and it will make it easier to allow the home to keep warmth.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the 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 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Ngaio Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go and stop it from coming inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s typically not apparent that it could become a major issue, causing damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Ngaio

Property rental areas that are affected by Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Ngaio include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Ngaio for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to check during the home review to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch now and schedule your rental property house evaluation.