Healthy Homes Assessment Napier

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to ensure their Napier 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 completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can 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 about the work needed to be completed. needs to be done and offer the 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 breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re fully qualified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 232 113

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 tasks have to be done by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate when the tenancy contract is completed, and should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It is crucial to remember that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved only for serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct a house assessment performed on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households rent from New Zealand and Napier, and research indicates that rental houses tend to be colder, older and have less effective heating and are of lower quality than the homes of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative health results, specifically for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who have reported at least four major house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Improve the quality of Napier rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and living due to illnesses. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught stopping in Napier rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Napier

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in houses. A draughty house will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the air is clear out of a hole or gap that is, it’s likely a crack or hole which requirements sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out from your home require seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated whenever possible.

There is no require to block up intentional holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow movement of the building as the house is heated and cools so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will examine all doors and windows as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for well-being houses

Heating Napier

Napier rental properties need to have a stable source of heat that is able to heat the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the existing permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat source, it must include the thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a central heating source, such as the heat pump, it may require a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Napier

Each living space within the rental property should have at least one openable doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about understanding the fact that dry air is more easy to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable and therefore don’t need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements to have the ability of opening to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your home that has shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will require adequate extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Napier

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory on all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation meets the new quality. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might require to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and will also make an easier task for the house to keep the heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Napier Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the inside but you must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s often what you don’t see that can become a big problem and cause damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between your flooring and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Napier

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to the Healthy Homes Standard in Napier include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Napier for Rental Properties

There are numerous things you should look for when conducting a home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenant services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today and book your rental property home evaluation.