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 must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks which requirements to be done and offer a report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, we are completely qualified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 856 525

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on a Napier South rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Napier South rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days of 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 landlords or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s important to keep in mind that a landlord with multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are reserved for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and ask us to conduct an house evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households rent from New Zealand and Napier South, and research suggests that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who reported at least four major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Enhancing the quality of Napier South rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and living due to health issues. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught-stopping for Napier South rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss the Napier South Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Napier South

Draughts may lead to less temperature in homes. A humid home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a hole or gap that is, it is likely a crack or crack that requirements sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out into your home need sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t require to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement of the building as the house warms and cools in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will test all windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for healthy houses

Heating Napier South

Rental properties in Napier South should have a permanent source of heating which can warm the living area to at minimum 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 outlook.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump it must have an thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and efficient. In most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source like an air conditioner, it may require an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality because they’re costly, not affordable to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Napier South

Each living space within the rental property should contain at minimum one open door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

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

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

Every window, door or skylight needs at least of opening to the outside and remain at an open angle in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your home that has a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will need suitable extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Napier South

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is up to the new standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and will also make an easier task to the household to retain the heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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 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 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Napier South Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the inside but you must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is frequently the things you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble and cause damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from rising into the property. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Napier South

Property rental areas that are affected to Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Napier South include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Napier South for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to check in an home assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert advice get in touch today to book your rental property home evaluation.