Healthy Homes Assessment Karori

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure that their Karori rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks that requirements to be completed and provide a report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes related fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, and are fully qualified for 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, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Karori rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Karori rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days of being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

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

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it is updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It is crucial to keep in mind that landlords who own multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have an home assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households rent in New Zealand and Karori, and research suggests that rental homes are most likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than the houses of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who report at least four major house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Improve the quality of Karori rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Stopping for Karori rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Karori Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Karori

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside houses. A humid home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the air is clear from a hole or gap, then it’s likely to be a gap or crack that needs sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out from your home need the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as much as imaginable.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for the movement of the building when the home heats and cools, in order to let them be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will test all windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is important for well-being houses

Heating Karori

Karori rental properties require a reliable heating source that can warm the main or largest living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it requirements to have an thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. For most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source like a heat pump, then it may require an update to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Karori

Every living space in the rental property should include at least one open door or window to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about acknowledging how dry air will be less difficult to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable , and thus are not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or the skylight requirements at least to open up to the outside and remain at an open angle in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your home with shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will need appropriate extractor fans that are vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is a healthy home

Insulation Karori

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory to all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation is up to the new standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and it will make much easier to the household to hold the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values of your area.

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Karori Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is typically what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble and cause damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have effective drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from entering the building. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Karori

The areas of rental property that are affected by the Healthy Homes Standards in Karori include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Karori for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to be able to examine in the home review to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental properties home assessment.