Healthy Homes Assessment Ngauranga

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure that their Ngauranga rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks required. requirements to be done and provide an assessment report that includes all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes associated fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, we are fully qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Ngauranga rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be finished by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Ngauranga rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as being the person letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct when the tenancy agreement is signed. It is updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s also important to note that a landlord with multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for severe violations. Those who have six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct a house assessment done on your rental property.

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

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Ngauranga, and research shows us that these rental homes are likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who reported four or more key home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Improve the standard of Ngauranga rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to illness. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping within Ngauranga rental properties.

Start now and call about the Ngauranga Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Draught Stopping Ngauranga

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in households. A humid home will cost more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole that is, it is most likely a gap or hole that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out from your house need the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement of the structure as the household warms and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will check the windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Heating Ngauranga

Ngauranga rental properties should have a permanent source of heat which can warm the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the existing fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump it must have an thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a central heating source like heat pumps, it might just require an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Ngauranga

Each liveable space in a rental home must have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is about recognising it is that dried air can be easier to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not living spaces and therefore do not require an opening window or door.

Each door, window or Skylight requirements to have the ability of opening to the outside while remaining closed, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your home that has a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture-producing item will require adequate extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

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

Insulation Ngauranga

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required for all rent houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation is up to the new standard. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, as well as making an easier task for the household to keep heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, more efficient the insulation.

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

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Ngauranga Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go and prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s usually what you don’t see that could become a major issue and cause damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from rising into the property. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Rental Property Home Assessments Ngauranga

Rental property areas affected to The Healthy Homes Standards in Ngauranga include each:

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

Home Assessments Ngauranga for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to check when conducting the home review to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a Tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice get in touch today to book your rental properties home assessment.