Healthy Homes Assessment Napier South

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 their Napier South rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work which requirements to be completed and provide a report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, as well as completely qualified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Napier South rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Napier South rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they may be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it must be updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It is also important to be aware that a landlord with multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct an home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Napier South, and research indicates that rental homes are likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and are of lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Additionally, those who report four or more key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Improve the standard of Napier South rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to illness. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping within Napier South rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Napier South

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

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap, then it is most likely a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out of your home require sealing. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as much as imaginable.

You don’t require to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for the movement of the building as the house is heated and cools to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will inspect the windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Napier South

Napier South rental properties must have a fixed source of heating that is able to heat the living space to at least 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heat needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to top up by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it needs to have an thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, such as an air conditioner, it might just require an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Napier South

Every living space in the rental property should contain at minimum one open door or window to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about acknowledging how the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t liveable , and thus are not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door or skylight needs to have the ability to open to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your home that has a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need adequate extractor fans that can be vented towards 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 areas with high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is a healthy home

Insulation Napier South

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required to all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation meets current quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and also makes more easy to the home to retain warmth.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor 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

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Napier South Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is usually not apparent that it can become a big problem that can cause damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from entering the building. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Napier South

Rental property areas affected through Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Napier South include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Napier South for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to check during an home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a Tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental properties home evaluation.