Healthy Homes Assessment Karaka Bays

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the 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 a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must 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 can assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work that requirements to be done and offer an assessment report that includes all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes relevant fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors for rental properties, 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

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Karaka Bays rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be taken care of within 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease contract as the person renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it is updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It is also important to keep in mind that landlords who own several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with large fines in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct an home evaluation performed for your rental property.

Get the full description of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Karaka Bays, and research suggests that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who have reported four or more major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Karaka Bays rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and living because of diseases. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping for Karaka Bays rental properties.

Start now and call about having 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 households. A cold house will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap, then it’s probably a gap or hole that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into your home require to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched as much as possible.

You don’t require to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement within the building as the home is heated and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will check the windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Karaka Bays

Rental properties in Karaka Bays must have a fixed heating source that can heat the largest or main living room to at least 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the existing permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to top up with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it should be equipped with the thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source like heat pumps, it might just require an update to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the quality since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Karaka Bays

Every living space of the rental property should contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about understanding that dry air is much easier to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or the skylight needs to have the ability to open up to the outside and remain closed, allowing the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your property with a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture generating item will require suitable extractor fans that are vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

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

A dry and warm house is a healthy house

Insulation Karaka Bays

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory in all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure the insulation meets the new standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and will also make more easy to the household to retain heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

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

Karaka Bays Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and stop it from coming inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is frequently those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem that can cause damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally 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.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Karaka Bays

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with The Healthy Homes Standard 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 numerous things to look over when conducting a home review to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

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