Healthy Homes Assessment Ngaio

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure their Ngaio rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work which needs to be completed, and provide an assessment report that includes all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, and are fully certified to assess each of 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 on a Ngaio rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they will receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is executed, and it should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It’s important to remember that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are given for the most serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have an home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Check out the complete details of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Ngaio, and research has shown that these rental houses tend to be colder, older and are not as effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than the houses of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and heart diseases. Additionally, those who experience at least four key home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the standard of Ngaio rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to illness. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

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 Control on Ngaio rental properties.

Start now and call about receiving a Ngaio Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Ngaio

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or hole which requirements sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of your house require sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever possible.

You don’t require to block up intentional holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement of the structure when the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will check all windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for healthy houses

Heating Ngaio

Rental properties in Ngaio must have a fixed source of heating that can warm the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and efficient. For most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source like heat pumps, it might just need an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Ngaio

Each living space within a rental home must include at least one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

A ventilation standard is about recognising how dry air is easier to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t liveable and therefore do not need an opening door or window.

Every window, door or the skylight needs at least of opening to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your house that houses shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Ngaio

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement on all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure the insulation meets the new quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and it will make more easy for the house to keep heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 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 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Ngaio Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about the inside; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go and stop it from coming inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically not apparent that it could be a huge problem and cause the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from entering the structure. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor 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 Standard in Ngaio include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Ngaio for Rental Properties

There are many things to look over during a house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property home assessment.