Healthy Homes Assessment Naenae

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 now have to make sure their Naenae rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to 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 evaluate your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work required. requirements to be completed, and offer an evaluation report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with 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 healthier homes related fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, we are completely qualified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Naenae rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be done within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Naenae rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and must be updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who own several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for the most serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and ask us to conduct an home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households in New Zealand and Naenae, and research suggests that rental homes tend to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who have reported at least four key house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Naenae rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping for Naenae rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Naenae

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in homes. A cold home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap or crack, then it’s likely a crack or crack that needs sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from the home require sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched as far as imaginable.

You don’t require to block holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow movement of the structure as the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will check 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.

A good heating system is important for well-being homes

Heating Naenae

Naenae rental properties require a reliable source of heating which can warm the{ main or largest|| largest or main| principal or the biggest} living room to at least 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the current permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat source, then it must be equipped with the thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. In most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source like heat pumps, it may require an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Naenae

Each living space within the rental property should have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about understanding how dried air can be much easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position of opening to the outside, and stay closed, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your property with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will need suitable extractor fans that vent to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Naenae

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required on all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure the insulation meets this new quality. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, as well as making more easy for the house to retain heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all part of 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Naenae Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go and to prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s frequently those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem and end up causing damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to remove storm water, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Naenae

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Naenae include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Naenae for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to look over in an home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today to book your rental property house assessment.