Healthy Homes Assessment Napier South

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure their Napier South rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to check whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work required. requirements to be completed, and provide a report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes related fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties as well as fully certified for 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 new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Napier South rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be done within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Napier South rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they could be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and must be updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that landlords who have several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given only for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and make arrangements to have an home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households from New Zealand and Napier South, and research shows us that these rental houses tend to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Additionally, those who reported at least four key home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the standard of Napier South rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of health issues. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control for Napier South rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about getting a Napier South Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Napier South

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in households. A draughty home costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and 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 most likely a gap or hole which needs sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out of your house require to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped as much as possible.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement of the building as the household is heated and cools to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will examine every window and door during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Napier South

Rental properties in Napier South must have a fixed source of heating that can warm the largest or main living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat source, it should include an thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a central heating source, like an air conditioner, it might just require some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Napier South

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one opening window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation quality is about recognising how the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable , and thus don’t require an opening window or door.

Each window, door or the skylight needs at least open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your property with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will need proper extractor fan systems that vent to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Napier South

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory for all rent homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and also makes an easier task to allow the home to retain the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest area of 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 below floor R 1.3

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

Napier South Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about the inside It’s about having 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 usually those things that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue and end up causing the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between your floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from entering the structure. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Napier South

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards 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 variety of concerns to look over when conducting the home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenant solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For expert advice get in touch today to book your rental property house evaluation.