Healthy Homes Assessment Karaka Bays

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Karaka Bays rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be completely 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 evaluate your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks required. requirements to be done, and provide a report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes connected fines.

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

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Karaka Bays rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be completed within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Karaka Bays rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they could receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property and it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s also crucial to be aware that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and request an home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households homes in New Zealand and Karaka Bays, and research shows us that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than the houses of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who report at least four key house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Karaka Bays rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control on Karaka Bays rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Karaka Bays Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Karaka Bays

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside homes. A damp home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a gap or hole or crack, then it is most likely a gap or hole which requirements sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out into your home require the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched as far as imaginable.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement of the structure as the household is heated and cools to allow them to be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will examine all windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Karaka Bays

Karaka Bays rental properties must have a fixed heating source that can heat the living area to at minimum 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if your current fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump then it must have an thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. In most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source like a heat pump, then it might just require a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Karaka Bays

Every living space in a rental property has to have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about recognising how dry air will be more easy to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable and therefore are not require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or the skylight needs at least to open up to the outside and remain closed to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your home that has a bath, shower, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will require suitable extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Karaka Bays

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation is up to the new standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and will also make it easier to allow the home to keep heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the standard of insulation.

• 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 - 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 the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Karaka Bays Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is usually the concerns you don’t notice that could become a major issue, causing damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from getting into the home. It also assists in preventing any damage to your 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 Karaka Bays

Property rental areas that are affected by Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Karaka Bays include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Karaka Bays for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things you should look for when conducting a house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional advice, call today and book your rental property home assessment.