Healthy Homes Assessment Napier

Giving Napier landlords and tenants rental property peace of mind
Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that 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 rental properties are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

We will assess 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 assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of the work which needs to be completed, and provide an evaluation report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under 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 up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes related fines.

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

Call Now 0800 856 525
healthy homes assessment fines for non-compliance
Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Napier rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be completed by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new or renewed lease is entered into on the Napier rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant could be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out It could also be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct when the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be kept updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It is also crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for severe violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have a house inspection performed on your rental property.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Napier, and research has shown that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who report at least four major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improving the quality of Napier rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and living because of diseases. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping for Napier rental properties.

Start now and call about getting a Napier Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

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How Other People Rate Us

An excellent and thorough report! Much appreciated. I’ll definitely be recommending
Callum
Fantastic service, really pleased with how thorough the report was - also impressed that it was able to be done at such short notice. A+
Daniel
This is a high quality service where they are willing to go above and beyond the call of duty. I was incredibly impressed by the speed and quality of the inspection and report.
Brendon
When Do I require to be in compliance with The Healthy Homes Standards?

Napier Healthy Homes Compliance Timeframes

Tenancies established from 1 July 2019 to the 30th June in 2021

  • Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required to all Napier and New Zealand rental homes where it’s reasonably practicable to install.
  • A Healthy Homes Statement of Intent to Comply along with an Insulation Declaration and an Insurance Statement must be included with any renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement.
  • Property managers and landlords are required to keep records that prove conformance with each Healthy Homes Standard that apply or will be in force during the tenure of the rental property.

From July 1st 2021

  • Private landlords and property managers have to ensure their rental properties comply with the Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new, renewed , or altered Tenancy.
  • All boarding homes (except Kainga Ora and registered Community Housing Provider Boarding home tenancies) are required to comply with Healthy Homes Standards regardless of when the tenancy began.

Starting 1 July 2023

  • All households rented to Kainga Ora (formerly Housing New Zealand) and Community Housing Providers that are registered must meet the Healthy Homes Standards regardless of when the tenancy began.

From July 1st 2024

  • All rental homes must comply with the Healthy Homes Standards regardless of when the tenancy first began.
Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Napier

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in homes. A humid home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap, then it’s most likely a gap or hole that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out into your home need seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as far as possible.

You don’t require to block off gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow movement of the building as the household gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will inspect all windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

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The proper heating equipment is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Napier

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

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether your current installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it should have a thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a central heating source like a heat pump, then it could need some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard as they are either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Napier

Every living space of a rental property must have at least one opening window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about recognising how dry air is much easier to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or Skylight needs for them to be in a position of opening to the outside and remain closed in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your property with shower, bath, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will need adequate extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

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A dry and warm home is an ideal home

Insulation Napier

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory in all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation meets the new standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and will also make an easier task for the home to retain warmth.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

  • Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 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 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of 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 inside of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go and prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is often not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble and cause damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from entering the home. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Find out all the details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

moisture ingress and drainage inspection
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Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Napier

Rental property areas affected through The Healthy Homes Standards in Napier include each:

  • Living Room
  • Bedrooms
  • Dining Room
  • Bathrooms
  • Kitchens
  • Laundry
Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Napier for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to be able to examine during an house review to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

  • Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
  • Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
  • Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
  • Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
  • Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today to book your rental property home evaluation.

home assessments for rental properties

Healthy Homes Assessment Napier Hawkes Bay Region 4182

Reasons People Choose Us
About Us &

What We Do

As building inspectors, we take on all aspects that come with professional house Inspections. We’re here to ensure you make the right decision when buying your next home.

We take your investment seriously We will conduct detailed examinations to make sure that you don’t be faced with any costly or unexpected surprise costs, meaning you can relax and focus on the enjoyable aspects of owning or purchasing a home.

We are specialised in a range of services to ensure you are completely informed about the condition of any property that you might be thinking of buying or selling along with other solutions.

Not only do we collaborate with you, but we also work with some large clients including local councils, banks, and insurance firms. They seem to appreciate this peace of mind provided, thanks to the information in our building inspection reports.

We have a systematic approach to inspecting your property and the most up-to-date software technology with digital photos embedded into your Report, you are able to actually see any issues discovered. With our comprehensive reporting it’s easy to understand why we receive so many referrals from clients our services to their family and acquaintances.

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Comprehensive Home Reports

  • Pre Purchase & Pre Sale Reports
  • Building Condition Reports
  • Healthy Homes Assessments
  • General Consultancy
  • Handover Reports
  • Asbestos Compliance
  • Mould Inspection
  • Dilapidation Reports
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