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 July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure that their Karaka Bays rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks needed to be completed. needs to be done and offer a report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes associated fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties as well as completely qualified to evaluate 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 items must be completed by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is signed. It must be updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that landlords who have several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are given only for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and request a home inspection performed on your rental property.

Find the full information on the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households rent the property in New Zealand and Karaka Bays, and research suggests that rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more key housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

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 daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs over the long term.

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

Start now and call about receiving a Karaka Bays Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Karaka Bays

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in homes. A humid house costs more to heat, which results in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a gap or hole, then it’s probably a gap or an opening that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out of the home need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as possible.

There is no require to block up intentional holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement of the building as the home warms and cools in order to let them be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will test the windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Karaka Bays

Rental properties in Karaka Bays must have a fixed source of heat that is able to heat the living room to at least 18degC even on the most 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 heat requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current installed 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 are not considered to be acceptable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it should include an thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source, such as an air conditioner, it could require an upgrade to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Karaka Bays

Every living space of a rental property must have at least one opening window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about acknowledging the fact that dry air will be easier to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and therefore do not need an opening window or door.

Each door, window or the skylight requirements to have the ability to open to the outside, but remain closed, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your property with a bath, shower cooker or any other water-generating appliance will require suitable extractor fans that vent out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

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

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Karaka Bays

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement in all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is in line with the new standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, as well as making much easier for the home to keep the heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor 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

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

Karaka Bays Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is typically what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

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

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between your flooring and the ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the property. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor 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 Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Karaka Bays include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Karaka Bays for Rental Properties

There are numerous things you should look for during the home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For professional advice, call today and book your rental properties house evaluation.