Healthy Homes Assessment Napier

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that 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 completely conforming by the 1st 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 to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks which needs to be completed, and provide an evaluation report with all the necessary information 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 breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes related fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, as well as fully qualified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Napier rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they may receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the lease contract as the person who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be current when the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It’s important to remember that landlords with multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct an house evaluation performed for your rental property.

Get the full description of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

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

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. In addition, people who have reported at least four key issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Improving the quality of Napier rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of health issues. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping within Napier rental properties.

Start now and call about the Napier Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Napier

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap or crack, then it is most likely a gap or crack that requirements sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out from the home need the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no require to block off holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement of the building when the household gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will examine all windows and doors in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Napier

Napier rental properties must have a fixed heating source that can warm the living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to top up with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it requirements to include a thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a central heating source like heat pumps, it might just need an upgrade to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality because they’re expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Napier

Each living space within a rental property must have at least one opening door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about recognising that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not living spaces and therefore don’t require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or skylight needs at least to open up to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will require suitable extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Napier

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation is up to current quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and it will make it easier to allow the home to keep the heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest area 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Napier Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow and stop it from coming inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s often the concerns you don’t notice that could be a huge problem and cause the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a location to go, and it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from getting into the home. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Napier

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Napier for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to check in the home review to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenant services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today to book your rental properties house assessment.