Healthy Homes Assessment Napier

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords must make sure their Napier rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property and determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks which needs to be completed and offer a report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes relevant fines.

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

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Napier rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be finished inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Napier rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it is updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It is also important to be aware that landlords who have several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for severe violations. Those who have six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have an home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Napier, and research indicates that rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and are of lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who report four or more key house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Napier rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living due to diseases. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Stopping within Napier rental properties.

Start now and call about having a Napier Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Napier

Draughts may lead to less temperature in homes. A cold home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear out of a hole or gap that is, it is likely a crack or hole that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out of the house require sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no need to cover up holes or gaps 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 house heats and cools, to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will test every window and door as part of the 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 Napier

Napier rental properties must have a fixed source of heating which can warm the{ main or largest|| largest or main| principal or the biggest} living space to at least 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the existing permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it requirements to be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a central heating source, like a heat pump, then it could need a top up to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Napier

Each living space within the rental property should have at least one opening window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about recognising it is that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t living spaces and therefore don’t require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements to be able to open up to the outside, but remain closed to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your home that has shower, bath or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will need adequate extractor fans which are vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is a healthy home

Insulation Napier

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory in all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure the insulation meets this new quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and will also make it easier to allow the home to retain warmth.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder area 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 (underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Napier Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is frequently what you don’t see that could be a huge problem and cause damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the building. 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 Napier

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Napier for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to check in a house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property home evaluation.