Healthy Homes Assessment Napier South

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have to make sure their Napier South rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks required. requirements to be done, and offer an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes related fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re fully certified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Napier South rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be finished within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Napier South rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is executed, and it should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It is also important to note that landlords with multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down only for serious breaches, and landlords with 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 comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with massive fines as well as still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and arrange to have an house assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Napier South, and research suggests that rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. In addition, people who have reported at least four major housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

The improvement in the quality of Napier South rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to diseases. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping for Napier South rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Napier South

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in houses. A humid house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole and you are able to feel it, it is most likely a gap or hole which requirements sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out from your house need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent possible.

There is no need to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow movement of the structure as the home is heated and cools so that they can still be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will inspect all windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

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

Heating Napier South

Rental properties in Napier South must have a fixed source of heating that is able to heat the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the current fix 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 small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it needs to include a thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source such as the heat pump, it may need a top up to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Napier South

Each living space within a rental property must have at least one opening doors or windows to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

This ventilation quality is about recognising the fact that dry air will be less difficult to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or skylight needs for them to be in a position of opening to the outside, and stay at an open angle to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your property with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will require proper extractor fan systems that vent to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Napier South

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required for all rent houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation meets the new quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness as well as making it easier to the house to keep heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• 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 the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Napier South Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside; you have to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and also stop it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is frequently the things you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble and cause damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to have efficient drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from getting into the home. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Napier South

The areas of rental property that are affected through Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Napier South include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Napier South for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things you should look for when conducting the house assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenant solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today to book your rental property house evaluation.