Healthy Homes Assessment Napier South

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work required. requirements to be done, and offer a report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes associated fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re completely certified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Napier South rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be done inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they may 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 any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person 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 Compliance Statement needs to be current when the tenancy agreement is signed. It must be updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It is important to remember that landlords who have multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved only for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in huge fines, in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct an home assessment done on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households homes in New Zealand and Napier South, and research shows us that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating and tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who have reported four or more key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Napier South rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of diseases. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control in Napier South rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Napier South

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside homes. A damp home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the air is clear out of a hole or gap and you can feel it, it is probably a gap or hole that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out into the house require seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped whenever possible.

There is no require to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow movement of the structure when the household heats and cools, so that they can still be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will check all windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Napier South

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

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the current installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it should have a thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source, like heat pumps, it might require an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Napier South

Each liveable space in a rental property has to include at least one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about acknowledging it is that dry air will be more easy to heat and a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or skylight needs to be able to open to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your property with shower, bath cooker or any other humidity-generating items will need proper extractor fan systems which are vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Napier South

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory for all rent houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation meets 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 filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and will also make it easier for the home to keep the heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all part 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about this 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 It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s often the things you don’t notice that could become a major issue and end up causing damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between the floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from entering the building. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Napier South

Rental property areas affected by Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Napier South include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Napier South for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to look over during an house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an Tenancy services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental property house evaluation.