Healthy Homes Assessment Naenae

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 must make sure that their Naenae 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 certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be completed, and provide the report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes related fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties as well as completely qualified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6791

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 Naenae rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Naenae rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in 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 live in. If the property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out which could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It’s also crucial to be aware that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are handed down for serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have an home assessment performed for your rental property.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Naenae, and research has shown that these rental homes are most likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating and are of lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Additionally, those who reported at least four major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Improve the standard of Naenae rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of diseases. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping for Naenae rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss getting a Naenae Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Naenae

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in homes. A humid house costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a hole or gap that is, it is likely a crack or hole which needs sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out into your house need the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as imaginable.

You don’t need to block holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement of the building when the house gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be closed and opened rather than securing. We will test all doors and windows during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are crucial for healthy homes

Heating Naenae

Naenae rental properties must have a fixed source of heat that can heat the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the current installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it must have a thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source such as the heat pump, it could need an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the standard as they are either costly, not affordable to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Naenae

Every living space of the rental property should contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

A ventilation quality is about recognising the fact that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not living spaces and therefore don’t require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or skylight requirements to have the ability open to the outside while remaining closed in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your property with shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will need appropriate extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Naenae

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory for all rent homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is in line with this new quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and also makes an easier task to the home to keep the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Naenae Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside 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 is usually what you don’t see that could become a major issue and cause damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

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

An underground moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the home. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Naenae

The areas of rental property that are affected through Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Naenae include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Naenae for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to check during the house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenant solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today to book your rental property home evaluation.