Healthy Homes Assessment Napier

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Napier rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely in compliance by July 1st 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 determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work required. requirements to be done, and offer an evaluation report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in 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 relevant fines.

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

Call Now 0800 856 525

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Napier rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be done within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Napier rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant could be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property which could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it must be updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It is also important to remember that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for the most serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and request a home evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Napier, and research suggests that rental homes tend to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who report at least four major housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Improving the quality of Napier rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living due to diseases. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping for Napier rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Napier

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in households. A damp house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it is likely a crack or crack that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into your house require the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t require to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the building when the home is heated and cools in order to let them be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will inspect all windows and doors as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for healthy houses

Heating Napier

Napier rental properties need to have a stable source of heating that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required 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 require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it must be equipped with an thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source, such as an air conditioner, it may require a top up to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the quality because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Napier

Every living space of a rental property has to have at least one opening door or window to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about recognising the fact that dry air is easier to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered living spaces and therefore don’t need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or Skylight requirements at least of opening to the outside, and stay at an open angle, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your property with shower, bath cooker or any other moisture generating item will need adequate extractor fans which are vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

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

A warm dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Napier

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory to all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and also makes more easy for the household to retain warmth.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the standard 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 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Napier Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and stop it from coming inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s frequently what you don’t see that could become a major issue and cause the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and the ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the building. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

See the full 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 the Healthy Homes Standard in Napier include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Napier for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to be able to examine in an home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For professional advice, call today to schedule your rental property home evaluation.