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 of July 2021? Landlords must ensure their Napier rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be done and offer an evaluation report with all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes related fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, as well as fully certified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 365 444

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Napier rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be done inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Napier rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they may be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property, so it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it must be updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It is also important to remember that landlords who own multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and arrange to have an house assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households rent from New Zealand and Napier, and research indicates that rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally have lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who have reported four or more major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Napier rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and living because of illness. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control within Napier rental properties.

Begin now by calling about having a Napier Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Napier

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

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it’s probably a gap or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out into your house require to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated whenever imaginable.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow movement of the structure as the home is heated and cools so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will inspect all windows and doors in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Napier

Napier rental properties need to have a stable source of heat that can warm the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat source, it requirements to include the thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source like the heat pump, it might need an update to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the standard because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Napier

Each liveable space in a rental property has to contain at minimum one open doors or windows to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

It is the ventilation quality is all about recognising it is that dried air can be more easy to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable , and thus do not require an opening window or door.

Each door, window or skylight needs for them to be in a position of opening to the outside and remain fixed in an open position, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will need appropriate extractor fans that vent out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is an ideal house

Insulation Napier

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory to all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and it will make it easier to the house to keep heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values of your area.

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 standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest 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 (underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Napier Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go, and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s usually what you don’t see that could be a huge problem that can cause the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have effective drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Napier

Rental property areas affected by the Healthy Homes Standards in Napier include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Napier for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to check in an house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental properties home evaluation.