Healthy Homes Assessment Karaka Bays

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords must ensure that 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 rental properties must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by 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 meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work required. requirements to be completed and offer an evaluation report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, we are fully certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on a Karaka Bays rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be completed inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Karaka Bays rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It is crucial to remember that landlords who manage multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are given for serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct an house evaluation performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households in New Zealand and Karaka Bays, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating and have lower quality than the houses of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Improve the standard of Karaka Bays rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of health issues. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in 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 within Karaka Bays rental properties.

Start now and call about having a Karaka Bays Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Karaka Bays

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in households. A draughty home costs more to heat, which results in wasting money and energy.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap that is, it is most likely a gap or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from the home require the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated whenever imaginable.

There is no require to cover up holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for the movement of the building as the home is heated and cools to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will test all windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for well-being houses

Heating Karaka Bays

Rental properties in Karaka Bays should have a permanent heating source that can warm the living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to top up with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat source, it needs to have the thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source, like a heat pump, then it might require a top up in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the quality since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Karaka Bays

Every living space of the rental property should include at least one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about understanding it is that dried air can be easier to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered living spaces and therefore don’t require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or the skylight requirements to be able open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your house that houses a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will require appropriate extractor fans that vent towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is a healthy home

Insulation Karaka Bays

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required on all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is in line with the new quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might need to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, as well as making more easy to allow the house to keep heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Karaka Bays Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is frequently the concerns you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

See the full details of 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 with the Healthy Homes Standards in Karaka Bays include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Karaka Bays for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to check in a home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today and book your rental properties house evaluation.