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 any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to 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 will assess your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work which requirements to be completed and offer a report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, as well as completely qualified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Ngauranga rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the property manager does not supply the necessary information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as being the person renting the property which could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

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

It is crucial to keep in mind that a landlord with multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are handed down for serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and request an house inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households the property in New Zealand and Ngauranga, and research suggests that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who report four or more key housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

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

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping for Ngauranga rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Ngauranga

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in homes. A humid home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

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

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 hole or gap or crack, then it’s most likely a gap or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out of your home require the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped as much as imaginable.

There is no need to cover up gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement of the structure when the house heats and cools, so that they can still be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will examine the windows and doors as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Ngauranga

Ngauranga rental properties need to have a stable heating source which can warm the largest or main living space to at least 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it should have a thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source like the heat pump, it may need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Ngauranga

Each living space within a rental house must contain at minimum one open door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid 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 the fact that dry air will be less difficult to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or Skylight needs at least of opening to the outside while remaining at an open angle in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your house that houses shower, bath cooker or any other moisture generating item will require suitable extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Ngauranga

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory in all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation is in line with current standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and will also make more easy for the household to hold warmth.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation can withstand 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 – The rest area 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 (underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Ngauranga Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow and also stop it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually what you don’t see that can become a big problem and cause damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the property. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Ngauranga

Rental property areas affected to Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Ngauranga include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Ngauranga for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to be able to examine when conducting a home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice, call today and book your rental properties home evaluation.