Healthy Homes Assessment Karaka Bays

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords must make sure 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 are required to be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks that requirements to be completed and offer an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes associated fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, and are fully certified for 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, if a new or renewed contract is signed on a Karaka Bays rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be completed inside of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property which could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be current when the tenancy contract is signed. It is updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is important to remember that landlords who own multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for the most serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with massive fines as well as still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have an house assessment done for your rental property.

Check out the complete details of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Karaka Bays, and research shows us that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating and are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative health results, specifically for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who experience four or more key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Improving the quality of Karaka Bays rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and living because of diseases. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

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

Get started now and contact us 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 households. A humid house is more expensive to heat, which completed jobs in wasting money and energy.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole and you can feel it, it is likely to be a gap or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out of the house require the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched whenever possible.

There is no require to block holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the building when the home heats and cools, to allow them to be closed and opened rather than securing. We will inspect all doors and windows in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for healthy homes

Heating Karaka Bays

Rental properties in Karaka Bays must have a fixed source of heating that can warm the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to top up with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat source, then it must be equipped with the thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a central heating source, like a heat pump, then it might require an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the quality since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Karaka Bays

Every living space of a rental home must have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about acknowledging the fact that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t living spaces and therefore don’t need an opening window or door.

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

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your property with a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need proper extractor fan systems that are vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Karaka Bays

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement to all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation meets the new standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and also makes an easier task for the house to keep heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values required for your area

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

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

Karaka Bays Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is usually the things you don’t notice that could become a major issue, causing damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the building. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor 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

Property rental areas that are affected through The Healthy Homes Standard in Karaka Bays include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Karaka Bays for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to check when conducting an house review to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenant solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental property home evaluation.