Healthy Homes Assessment Napier

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that their Napier rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully certified by 1 July 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 check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks that needs to be done, and offer the report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes connected fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, and are fully qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Napier rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be finished inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property, so it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is also important to be aware that a landlord who have several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given only for serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in large fines in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and arrange to have an home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households homes in New Zealand and Napier, and research indicates that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who report four or more key house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Napier rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living due to illnesses. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping for Napier rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss getting a Napier Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Napier

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in households. A damp home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught out of a hole or gap, then it’s likely to be a gap or hole which requirements sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out from the house need sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as far as possible.

You don’t require to block holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement of the structure as the household gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be closed and opened rather than securing. We will inspect all doors and windows as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

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

Heating Napier

Rental properties in Napier should have a permanent source of heating that can heat the largest or main living room to at least 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump then it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

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

Get the complete information for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Napier

Every living space of the rental property should have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is about recognising the fact that dried air can be much easier to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t living spaces and therefore do not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or the skylight needs to have the ability to open up to the outside, and stay at an open angle, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your home that has shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will require appropriate extractor fans that vent to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Napier

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required to all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure the insulation meets this new standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might require to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and will also make an easier task to allow the home to hold warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest part 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, underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Napier Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor 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

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

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Napier for Rental Properties

There are many things to look over in a home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental property home evaluation.