Healthy Homes Assessment Naenae

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords now have to make sure their Naenae rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by 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 requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work required. needs to be completed, and offer an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, and are fully qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6791

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Naenae rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be finished within 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they may receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It is important to be aware that landlords who own several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have a home evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households rent from New Zealand and Naenae, and research indicates that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who have reported four or more key housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Improving the standard of Naenae rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of diseases. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control within Naenae rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Naenae

Draughts may lead to less temperature in homes. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the air is clear from a hole or gap or crack, then it’s likely a crack or hole which requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out from your home require seals. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as far as imaginable.

You don’t need to block off holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for healthy homes

Heating Naenae

Naenae rental properties should have a permanent source of heating that can warm the largest or main living space to at least 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The heating source needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the existing installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to top up by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump it must be equipped with a thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a central heating source, such as the heat pump, it may require some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Naenae

Every living space in a rental property has to contain at minimum one open doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about recognising the fact that dry air will be much easier to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus are not require an opening window or door.

Each door, window or skylight needs for them to be in a position to open up to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your property with shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will need adequate extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Naenae

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement in all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation is up to the new quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and will also make more easy to allow the home to hold warmth.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Naenae Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move and prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is frequently not apparent that it could become a major issue and cause damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water, and ground water. This includes the proper 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 a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from entering the property. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Find out all the details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Naenae

Property rental areas that are affected through Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Naenae include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Naenae for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to check in the home 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 protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today to book your rental properties home evaluation.