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 July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Karaka Bays rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks that needs to be done, and provide the report with all the information needed 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 breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental property, we are completely 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, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Karaka Bays rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be finished inside of 90 days.

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 must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details 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 of being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be maintained through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It’s important to be aware that landlords with multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved only for serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have an house inspection performed for 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?

About 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Karaka Bays, and research indicates that rental homes are likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and are of lower quality than the houses of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who experience at least four key house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

The improvement in the standard of Karaka Bays rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and living due to health issues. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping within Karaka Bays rental properties.

Begin now by calling about receiving a Karaka Bays Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Karaka Bays

Draughts may lead to less temperature in houses. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught out of a hole or gap or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or hole which requirements sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out within the house require seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated as much as imaginable.

There is no require to block holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will check all doors and windows as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Karaka Bays

Karaka Bays rental properties should have a permanent source of heating which can warm the living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements that it be permanently 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 space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the existing fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it must include a thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like small apartments an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as heat pumps, it could require an upgrade to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Karaka Bays

Each liveable space in a rental property has to have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation quality is about recognising how dry air will be more easy to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t liveable and therefore are not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or Skylight needs for them to be in a position to open to the outside and remain at an open angle in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will require adequate extractor fans that vent out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Karaka Bays

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory on all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and also makes it easier for the home to keep heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest part 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, underfloor R 1.3

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

Karaka Bays Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the inside it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s often not apparent that it can become a big problem that can cause damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from getting into the building. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Karaka Bays

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

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Karaka Bays for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns you should look for in a home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a ruling on tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today to schedule your rental properties house evaluation.