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 must ensure their Ngaio rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of any work needed to be completed. needs to be completed, and provide the report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes relevant fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re completely certified to evaluate 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, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Ngaio rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be finished by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new or renewed lease is entered into on the Ngaio rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, 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 reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be current when the tenancy contract is executed, and it should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It is important to remember that a landlord with multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are given for the most serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and arrange to have an home assessment performed on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households from New Zealand and Ngaio, and research has shown that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally have lower quality than the houses of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and heart diseases. Additionally, those who have reported four or more major housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Improving the standard of Ngaio rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living because of health issues. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping for Ngaio rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Ngaio

Draughts can lead to less temperature in households. A damp home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap that is, it’s most likely a gap or crack that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into the house require the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t need to block off holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for the movement of the structure as the home is heated and cools so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will inspect every window and door as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is important for well-being homes

Heating Ngaio

Ngaio rental properties require a reliable source of heat that can warm the living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to top up with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat source, then it must be equipped with the thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. In most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source such as a heat pump, then it might need an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Ngaio

Each liveable space in the rental property should contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about acknowledging the fact that dry air will be much easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or the skylight needs at least to open up to the outside and remain set in an opening position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your home that has a bath, shower cooker or any other humidity-generating items will require appropriate extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Ngaio

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory to all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation meets this new standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and it will make more easy to allow the household to retain heat.

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

The "R" stands for 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 the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Ngaio Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and stop it from coming into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s often not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a place to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Ngaio

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with The Healthy Homes Standards in Ngaio include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Ngaio for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to be able to examine in an house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property house evaluation.