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? Landlords now have to make sure 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 rentals must be fully certified 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 meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work required. requirements to be done, and offer the report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, as well as completely certified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

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

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they may receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is signed. It is updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It’s crucial to be aware that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for severe breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and request an home assessment done for your rental property.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

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

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who report four or more key home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Karaka Bays rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and living due to illnesses. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping within Karaka Bays rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about receiving a Karaka Bays Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Karaka Bays

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within houses. A damp house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a gap or hole or crack, then it’s most likely a gap or crack that requirements sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into your house require sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped as much as possible.

There is no require to block off holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement of the structure as the home gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will examine all windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Karaka Bays

Rental properties in Karaka Bays should have a permanent heating source that can heat the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, then it must include an thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. In most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source like heat pumps, it might require a top up to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Karaka Bays

Every living space of a rental home must have at least one openable door or window to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

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

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

Each window, door , or the skylight needs for them to be in a position of opening to the outside, but remain set in an opening position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your property with a bath, shower cooker or any other humidity-generating items will need appropriate extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Karaka Bays

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required in all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation is up to this new quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and will also make it easier to allow the household to keep warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 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 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Karaka Bays Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water and also stop it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s usually the things you don’t notice that could be a huge problem and end up causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to have effective drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Karaka Bays

Rental property areas affected by Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Karaka Bays include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Karaka Bays for Rental Properties

There are many concerns you should look for during an house review to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a tenant services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today to book your rental property home assessment.