Healthy Homes Assessment Karaka Bays

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure that their Karaka Bays rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about 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 to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes connected fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, we are completely qualified to evaluate both 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 tenancy is signed on a Karaka Bays rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

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

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it must be updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It’s important to remember that landlords with multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for severe violations. Those who have more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with huge fines, in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have a house evaluation performed for your rental property.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Karaka Bays, and research suggests that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative health outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. 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.

Enhancing the standard of Karaka Bays rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and daily life due to illness. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping for Karaka Bays rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Karaka Bays

Draughts can lead to less temperature in houses. A cold house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole or crack, then it is most likely a gap or hole which requirements sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out within your home need the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched whenever imaginable.

There is no require to block up intentional gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement within the building when the house is heated and cools so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will check every window and door as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for well-being houses

Heating Karaka Bays

Rental properties in Karaka Bays require a reliable source of heating that is able to heat the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the current fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it needs to be equipped with the thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a central heating source, like a heat pump, then it could need a top up to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the quality as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Karaka Bays

Each liveable space in the rental property should contain at minimum one open door or window to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about acknowledging the fact that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore do not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or skylight requirements at least to open to the outside and remain at an open angle, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your home that has shower, bath cooker or any other water-generating appliance will need proper extractor fan systems that can be vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Karaka Bays

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement on all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

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

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, 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 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Karaka Bays Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is frequently what you don’t see that could become a major issue and end up causing damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from rising into the property. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Karaka Bays

Property rental areas that are affected through the Healthy Homes Standards in Karaka Bays include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Karaka Bays for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to look over when conducting the home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenant services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert guidance, contact us today to book your rental properties house evaluation.