Healthy Homes Assessment Ngaio

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure that their Ngaio rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to check whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work which requirements to be done and offer a report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties we are fully certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Ngaio rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be completed by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on a Ngaio rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to 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 provide the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is also crucial to note that a landlord with multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for severe breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in huge fines, in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and arrange to have a home inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Ngaio, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the homes of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who report at least four key housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Ngaio rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to health issues. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

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 within Ngaio rental properties.

Begin now by calling about receiving 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 draughty house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a hole or gap and you can feel it, it’s likely a crack or hole that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of the home require seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as far as imaginable.

There is no require to block gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement within the structure as the household warms and cools so that they can still be closed and opened rather than securing. We will examine all windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Ngaio

Ngaio rental properties should have a permanent source of heating that can warm the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the existing fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat source, it must be equipped with a thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. In most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source, such as heat pumps, it may need an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Ngaio

Each liveable space in a rental property has to have at least one opening door or window to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about understanding that dry air is less difficult to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not living spaces and therefore don’t need an opening window or door.

Each door, window or Skylight requirements to have the ability open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your home that has shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will need proper extractor fan systems that vent out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Ngaio

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory to all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation is up to the new quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and it will make much easier to allow the home to retain heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 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 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

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

Ngaio Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and stop it from coming into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble, causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from getting 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 standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Ngaio

Property rental areas that are affected to The Healthy Homes Standards in Ngaio include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Ngaio for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to look over during a house review to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For professional advice get in touch today and book your rental properties home assessment.