Healthy Homes Assessment Karori

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must ensure that their Karori rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to 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 will evaluate your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work which needs to be completed, and offer the report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors for rental properties, and are fully qualified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Karori rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be completed within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on the Karori rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any 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 current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

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

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It is important to remember that landlords who own multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down only for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have a home assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Karori, and research suggests that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who experience four or more major home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Karori rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to diseases. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Control within Karori rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about having a Karori Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Karori

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A humid home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it’s most likely a gap or crack that requirements sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out within the house need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as imaginable.

You don’t need to block holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement within the structure when the home heats and cools, in order to let them be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect all windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Karori

Rental properties in Karori should have a permanent source of heat that can heat the main or largest living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether your current installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to top up with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it should include the thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source like heat pumps, it may require an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Karori

Each liveable space in a rental property must include at least one open door or window to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

The ventilation standard is about recognising how dried air can be much easier to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable , and thus don’t need an opening door or window.

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

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home that has a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will require suitable extractor fans that vent out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A dry and warm home is an ideal home

Insulation Karori

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure the insulation meets this new quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and it will make an easier task to allow the house to hold the heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Karori Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is typically not apparent that it could become a major issue, causing damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between your flooring and the ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from entering the property. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Karori

Rental property areas affected by the Healthy Homes Standards in Karori include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Karori for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to look over when conducting a home assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenant solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property house evaluation.