Healthy Homes Assessment Ngaio

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware 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 any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks which needs to be done and offer the report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors for rental properties, we are fully qualified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new or renewed contract is signed on a Ngaio rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be completed inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on the Ngaio rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they could be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it must be updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It’s crucial to remember that landlords who manage several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for severe violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have an house assessment performed for your rental property.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Ngaio, and research shows us that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who experience four or more key house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Enhancing the standard of Ngaio rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of diseases. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping on Ngaio rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Ngaio

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in homes. A cold house costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a gap or hole that is, it’s most likely a gap or crack that needs sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out of the home need the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to block gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement within the structure when the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be opened and closed rather than securing. We will check every window and door in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are important for healthy homes

Heating Ngaio

Rental properties in Ngaio should have a permanent source of heating that can heat the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like small 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 electric heating or heat pump it needs to be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a central heating source like a heat pump, then it might just require an upgrade to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Ngaio

Each liveable space in a rental home must contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about understanding how dried air can be much easier to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable , and thus do not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or Skylight needs to have the ability open to the outside and remain at an open angle to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your property with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will need proper extractor fan systems which are vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

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

A dry and warm house is a healthy home

Insulation Ngaio

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory for all rent houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation is in line with current quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and it will make it easier to the house to keep the heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor 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

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Ngaio Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the inside It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s typically what you don’t see that can become a big problem that can cause the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to remove rainwater, storm water, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Check out the complete details of 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 through Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Ngaio include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Ngaio for Rental Properties

There are many things to look over in an house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental properties house evaluation.