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? Landlords now have to make sure their Karaka Bays rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to be completely certified 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 assess your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work needed to be completed. needs to be done, and provide the report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes connected fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, as well as completely qualified to assess 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, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Karaka Bays rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be done within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Karaka Bays rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed. It is updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It is also crucial to remember that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are reserved for severe breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and request an house assessment performed on 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 the property in New Zealand and Karaka Bays, and research shows us that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Additionally, those who experience four or more major issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the standard of Karaka Bays rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and living due to diseases. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught stopping in Karaka Bays rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss the Karaka Bays Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Karaka Bays

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within homes. A cold home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap or crack, then it’s likely a crack or an opening that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out within your home need to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped as much as possible.

You don’t require to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement within the building when the household warms and cools so that they can still be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Karaka Bays

Rental properties in Karaka Bays must have a fixed source of heat which can warm the main or largest living room to at least 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump it should be equipped with a thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as heat pumps, it could require an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Karaka Bays

Every living space of a rental property has to have at least one openable door or window to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about recognising it is that dried air can be easier to heat and the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus do not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position of opening to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will need adequate extractor fans that vent out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

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

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Karaka Bays

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is in line with current quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and it will make an easier task to the house to keep heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

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

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

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 ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the building. It also assists in preventing any damage to your 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 through the Healthy Homes Standard in Karaka Bays include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Karaka Bays for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to check during an home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenant solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property house assessment.