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 are now required to ensure that their Karaka Bays rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work needed to be completed. requirements to be completed and offer the report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, we are completely qualified to evaluate both 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 tenancy is signed on a Karaka Bays rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be finished by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Karaka Bays rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they may receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

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

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It must be updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It’s also important to keep in mind that landlords who own multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and request an home evaluation performed for your rental property.

Check out the complete details of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Karaka Bays, and research indicates that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who reported four or more key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Improving the standard of Karaka Bays rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living due to illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

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

Get started now and contact us about receiving a Karaka Bays Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Karaka Bays

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside households. A cold house costs more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap that is, it’s likely to be a gap or hole which needs sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out from your house need the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as imaginable.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for the movement of the building when the house warms and cools in order to let them be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will inspect the windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Karaka Bays

Karaka Bays rental properties need to have a stable source of heating that can heat the largest or main living room to at least 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the existing fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it must include a thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source like a heat pump, then it might need an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard because they’re costly, not affordable to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Karaka Bays

Each liveable space in a rental property has to have at least one opening doors or windows to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about understanding how dry air will be less difficult to heat and that a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus do not need an opening door or window.

Each door, window or the skylight needs to have the ability open to the outside while remaining at an open angle in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your home that has a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need appropriate extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Karaka Bays

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness as well as making much easier to the household to retain the heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Karaka Bays Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s usually not apparent that it could be a huge problem that can cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have effective drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from rising into the property. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor 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 to the Healthy Homes Standard in Karaka Bays include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Karaka Bays for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to be able to examine in the home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common 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 house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert advice, call today and book your rental property house assessment.