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 their Karaka Bays rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

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

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work which needs to be completed and offer the report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of 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 as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes relevant fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, and are fully certified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Karaka Bays rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be done by the end of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they could be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who provide a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It is also crucial to keep in mind that a landlord with multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in significant fines and still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact 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 matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households in New Zealand and Karaka Bays, and research suggests that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating and tend to be lower quality than the houses of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who report at least four major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the quality of Karaka Bays rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and living because of diseases. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Karaka Bays

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within homes. A draughty home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap, then it is probably a gap or hole which requirements sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out into your home require seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped as far as possible.

There is no require to cover up holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement of the building when the home heats and cools, so that they can still be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will examine all windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Karaka Bays

Karaka Bays rental properties require a reliable heating source that can heat the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to top up by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump it should include a thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source, such as the heat pump, it might need an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the standard as they are 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 has to contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

The ventilation standard is about recognising the fact that dried air can be easier to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t liveable and therefore don’t require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements at least to open up to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your property with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will need adequate extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Karaka Bays

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and will also make much easier to allow the house to keep heat.

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

The "R" refers to 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 higher the quality of insulation.

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

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Karaka Bays Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected 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 as well as groundwater to move, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is frequently the things you don’t notice that could be a huge problem, causing the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between your floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

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

Check out the complete 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
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Karaka Bays for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to check during an home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenancy services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental properties home assessment.