Healthy Homes Assessment Ngauranga

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Ngauranga rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks that requirements to be completed, and provide an assessment report that includes all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re completely certified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Ngauranga rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be completed inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed lease is entered into on a Ngauranga rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they may be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it is updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it is finished.

It is also crucial to remember that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for the most serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct an home assessment done for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households rent homes in New Zealand and Ngauranga, and research indicates that rental houses tend to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who experience at least four major home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the quality of Ngauranga rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and living because of diseases. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught stopping on Ngauranga rental properties.

Start now and call about receiving a Ngauranga Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Ngauranga

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside homes. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole or crack, then it is probably a gap or an opening that needs sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out into the home need sealing. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever imaginable.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement within the building when the household warms and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will inspect every window and door during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Ngauranga

Ngauranga rental properties must have a fixed source of heat that can warm the largest or main living space to at least 18degC even on the coldest winter 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 heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to top up with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it must include the thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source like the heat pump, it may require an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Ngauranga

Every living space of the rental property should have at least one openable doors or windows to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about understanding it is that dry air is less difficult to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and are not require an opening window or door.

Each door, window or the skylight needs for them to be in a position to open up to the outside while remaining closed to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your home with shower, bath, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will require appropriate extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Ngauranga

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory for all rent houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness as well as making an easier task to the household to keep warmth.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Ngauranga Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is typically what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble, causing the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Ngauranga

Rental property areas affected by The Healthy Homes Standard in Ngauranga include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Ngauranga for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns you should look for during a house assessment to see if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require 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 have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice get in touch today and book your rental properties home assessment.