Healthy Homes Assessment Ngaio

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure that their Ngaio rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties 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 of the tasks which requirements to be done, and provide a report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors for rental properties, and are completely qualified to evaluate both 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 or renewed contract is signed on a Ngaio rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be finished within 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

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

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

It is also important to keep in mind that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are given for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with significant fines and still being required to comply with the regulations. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and request an house evaluation performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households rent homes in New Zealand and Ngaio, and research suggests that rental homes are likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative health outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who report at least four key housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Ngaio rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control on Ngaio rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss having a Ngaio Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Ngaio

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside homes. A humid house costs more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap and you can feel it, it is likely a crack or crack that requirements sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out into your house require to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated whenever possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow movement of the structure as the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will check all windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Ngaio

Ngaio rental properties should have a permanent source of heating which can warm the living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the current installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it needs to include an thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as an air conditioner, it might just require some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Ngaio

Every living space in a rental property must contain at minimum one open door or window to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about recognising how dried air can be much easier to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements at least of opening to the outside, and stay closed to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home with a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture-producing item will need proper extractor fan systems that are vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Ngaio

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement to all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation is up to the new quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and it will make much easier to allow the house to keep heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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

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

Ngaio Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is frequently what you don’t see that could become a major issue and cause damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to remove storm water, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from entering the structure. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Ngaio

Rental property areas affected to Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard 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 you should look for in an home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenant services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For professional advice, call today to schedule your rental property house evaluation.