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 effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have to make sure 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 covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to check whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work which requirements to be done and offer an assessment report that includes all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes related fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re completely qualified for 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, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Karaka Bays rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be completed within 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is named on the lease contract as the person renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it is updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s also important to note that landlords with multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for the most serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct a house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Karaka Bays, and research has shown that these rental homes tend to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than the homes of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who have reported at least four major home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Improve the standard of Karaka Bays rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and living because of illnesses. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping within Karaka Bays rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Karaka Bays Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Karaka Bays

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside households. A draughty home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or a clear draught from a gap or hole, then it’s likely a crack or an opening that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within your house require sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as much as imaginable.

You don’t need to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow movement of the building when the home warms and cools so that they can still be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for well-being homes

Heating Karaka Bays

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

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the current permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it needs to have a thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a central heating source like heat pumps, it might just need an upgrade to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Karaka Bays

Each living space within a rental property has to include at least one open window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

A ventilation quality is all about acknowledging the fact that dried air can be easier to heat, and that 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. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and don’t require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements at least of opening to the outside while remaining closed, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your home that has shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need appropriate extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

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

A dry and warm house is an ideal home

Insulation Karaka Bays

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory on all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may need to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and it will make an easier task to the house to retain the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all part 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, underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Karaka Bays Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go and stop it from coming into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s usually not apparent that it could become a major issue that can cause damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water is able to go and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the home. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Karaka Bays

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

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Karaka Bays for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to check during the house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenant solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today to book your rental properties home assessment.