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 must ensure that their Ngaio rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks required. requirements to be completed and provide a report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, as well as fully certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Ngaio rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be finished 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 inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It is important to remember that landlords with multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and request a home assessment done for your rental property.

Find the full information on details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households rent in New Zealand and Ngaio, and research shows us that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than the houses of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who reported at least four major housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the standard of Ngaio rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and living because of illness. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control on Ngaio rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Ngaio

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside houses. A damp house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap or crack, then it is probably a gap or hole that needs sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out within the home require the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for the movement of the building when the house is heated and cools in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will inspect all doors and windows as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for well-being homes

Heating Ngaio

Rental properties in Ngaio should have a permanent heating source which can warm the main or largest living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top-up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it should have the thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a central heating source such as a heat pump, then it might require some additional energy to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Ngaio

Each liveable space in a rental house must have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

A ventilation standard is about recognising that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or skylight needs for them to be in a position to open up to the outside, and stay set in an opening position to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your home that has a bath, shower, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will require proper extractor fan systems that can be vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

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

A dry and warm house is a healthy house

Insulation Ngaio

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory in all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, as well as making more easy to the house to retain the heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 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 moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move, and prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s often what you don’t see that could become a major issue that can cause damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to have efficient drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from entering the structure. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Learn more about the 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 by The Healthy Homes Standards in Ngaio include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Ngaio for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to look over during an home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert advice, call today to schedule your rental property house evaluation.