Healthy Homes Assessment Ngauranga

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? Landlords are now required to ensure that their Ngauranga rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks required. requirements to be done, and provide a report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes connected fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties as well as completely qualified 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, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Ngauranga rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be completed by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Ngauranga rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It is crucial to remember that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are handed down for serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in significant fines and still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and request a house assessment 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?

About 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Ngauranga, and research suggests that rental homes tend to be older, colder, have less effective heating and have lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. In addition, people who report at least four key house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Ngauranga rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to illness. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping on Ngauranga rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Ngauranga

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside homes. A damp home costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap or crack, then it is likely a crack or crack that needs sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out from the home need sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as far as imaginable.

There is no need to block off gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow movement of the structure as the home is heated and cools to allow them to be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will test the windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for well-being homes

Heating Ngauranga

Ngauranga rental properties require a reliable heating source that is able to heat the principal or the biggest 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 wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your 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 mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it must be equipped with the thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as heat pumps, it could require some additional energy to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Ngauranga

Every living space in a rental home must have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about acknowledging that dried air can be less difficult to heat, and that 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 are not considered living spaces and therefore do not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or skylight needs for them to be in a position open to the outside and remain set in an opening position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your property with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans that vent towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is an ideal home

Insulation Ngauranga

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required in all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is in line with this new standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

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

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 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 and floor 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

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Ngauranga Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s often those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the building. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Learn more about this 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 Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Ngauranga for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to check in a house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenant solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental properties home evaluation.