Healthy Homes Assessment Karaka Bays

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure their Karaka Bays 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 in compliance by July 1st 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 determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work that requirements to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with 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 $7200 plus any additional healthy homes associated fines.

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, as well as completely certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Karaka Bays rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be finished by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new or renewed lease is entered into on the Karaka Bays rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

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

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant could be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is also crucial to note that a landlord with multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down only for serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and arrange to have an house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households from New Zealand and Karaka Bays, and research suggests that rental homes are likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who experience four or more key issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Improve the quality of Karaka Bays rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and living because of health issues. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control in Karaka Bays rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Karaka Bays

Draughts may lead to less temperature in homes. A humid house costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap that is, it is most likely a gap or hole which needs sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out within the house require the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

You don’t need to cover up gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow movement of the building when the home gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will check all windows and doors as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

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

Heating Karaka Bays

Karaka Bays rental properties must have a fixed source of heat which can warm the living room to at least 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the existing fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), then it must be equipped with a thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, like the heat pump, it might just need a top up to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

See the full details for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Karaka Bays

Every living space of a rental property must have at least one opening doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about acknowledging that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or Skylight needs at least to open up to the outside and remain fixed in an open position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your property with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will require proper extractor fan systems that vent to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough 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 dry and warm house is an ideal home

Insulation Karaka Bays

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory to all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation meets the new quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and also makes an easier task for the house to retain heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of the 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

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

Karaka Bays Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow and prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is often what you don’t see that can become a big problem that can cause damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a location to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from rising into the home. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Karaka Bays

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to the Healthy Homes Standards in Karaka Bays include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Karaka Bays for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns you should look for during the house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenant services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional advice, call today and book your rental properties house evaluation.