Healthy Homes Assessment Napier South

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must make sure that their Napier South rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must 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 can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks that needs to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, we are completely qualified 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, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Napier South rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be taken care of within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 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 all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the property manager does not supply the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current when the tenancy contract is executed, and it should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It is crucial to be aware that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down only for serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct an home evaluation performed on your rental property.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Napier South, and research suggests that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who report at least four key home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Napier South rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and living because of illness. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught Control in Napier South rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Napier South Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Napier South

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within households. A draughty house costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or hole which requirements sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit into your home need to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as much as imaginable.

You don’t require to block off holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for the movement of the building as the household warms and cools so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will test the windows and doors in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Napier South

Napier South rental properties should have a permanent heating source that is able to heat the living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, 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 requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the current fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it must have a thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source like a heat pump, then it might require an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Napier South

Each liveable space in a rental property has to contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about recognising it is that dry air is more easy to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and therefore don’t need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or skylight needs at least of opening to the outside, but remain closed to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will need proper extractor fan systems which are vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

Find out all the details about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Napier South

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, as well as making an easier task to allow the house to keep heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of the 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Napier South Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move, and stop it from coming into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s often not apparent that it could become a major issue, causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from entering the property. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor 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 the Healthy Homes Standard in Napier South include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Napier South for Rental Properties

There are many things to look over during the home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property home evaluation.