Healthy Homes Assessment Ngauranga

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work required. requirements to be done and offer the report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

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

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Ngauranga rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

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

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is completed, and must be updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is crucial to keep in mind that landlords who manage several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for severe breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct an home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Ngauranga, and research shows us that these rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who experience four or more major housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Improve the quality of Ngauranga rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and living because of illness. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught stopping in Ngauranga rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss the Ngauranga Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Ngauranga

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside homes. A cold home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or a clear draught out of a hole or gap and you can feel it, it’s most likely a gap or hole that needs sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out from your house require to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be shut off. 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 gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow movement of the building when the house warms and cools in order to let them be closed and opened rather than securing. We will check the windows and doors as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Ngauranga

Rental properties in Ngauranga require a reliable source of heat that can warm the largest or main living space to at least 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it should include the thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a central heating source, like an air conditioner, it could need an upgrade to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality because they’re costly, not affordable to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Ngauranga

Every living space in a rental home must have at least one openable door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about understanding it is that dry air will be more easy to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or Skylight needs to be able open to the outside, and stay at an open angle in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your property with shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will require suitable extractor fans which are vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Ngauranga

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and will also make it easier for the household to hold heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values for your area

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

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

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Ngauranga Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go and stop it from coming inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is frequently what you don’t see that could become a major issue and end up causing damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the property. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring 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

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through the Healthy Homes Standards in Ngauranga include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Ngauranga for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to check in a house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenant services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice, call today and book your rental property house assessment.