Healthy Homes Assessment Karaka Bays

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure that 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 completely 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’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks required. needs to be done, and offer an evaluation report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, as well as fully certified to assess 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, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Karaka Bays rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is named on the lease contract as the person leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be maintained through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It is crucial to remember that landlords with several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in significant fines and still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have an house evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households rent in New Zealand and Karaka Bays, and research has shown that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who reported at least four key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Karaka Bays rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and living due to illness. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould 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 stopping within Karaka Bays rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Karaka Bays

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside houses. A damp house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the air is clear out of a hole or gap or crack, then it is probably a gap or hole that requirements sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out within your home require the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t require to block gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow movement of the structure when the house heats and cools, in order to let them be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will inspect every window and door as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Karaka Bays

Rental properties in Karaka Bays should have a permanent source of heating that is able to heat the largest or main living room to at least 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The heating source needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if your current installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to top up with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), then it must have a thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a central heating source such as a heat pump, then it could require an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Karaka Bays

Every living space in a rental house must have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

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

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

Each window, door or the skylight needs for them to be in a position of opening to the outside while remaining closed, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath cooker or any other humidity-generating items will need proper extractor fan systems that can be vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Karaka Bays

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement in all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and will also make much easier for the household to keep warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of the 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

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

Karaka Bays Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow, and stop it from coming into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is usually not apparent that it could become a major issue and cause damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of 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 that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Karaka Bays

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Karaka Bays for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to check when conducting an house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the ruling on tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today and book your rental property home assessment.