Healthy Homes Assessment Karori

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure their Karori rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks that needs to be done, and provide a report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes associated fines.

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, as well as completely qualified to evaluate both 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 or renewed contract is signed on a Karori rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Karori rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It is also important to note that a landlord who have several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in large fines in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have an home inspection performed on your rental property.

Get the full description of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Karori, and research shows us that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative health results, specifically for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. In addition, people who experience four or more major home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the standard of Karori rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and living because of illness. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

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

Begin now by calling about receiving a Karori Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Karori

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in households. A humid house will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear out of a hole or gap, then it is likely to be a gap or hole that requirements sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out within the home need sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t need to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow movement of the structure when the home warms and cools so that they can still be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will inspect all doors and windows as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Karori

Karori rental properties require a reliable source of heat that can heat the main or largest living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the current permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it must be equipped with the thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a central heating source such as a heat pump, then it might need some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Karori

Every living space of a rental property has to have at least one openable door or window to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about acknowledging it is that dried air can be easier to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or the skylight needs to have the ability of opening to the outside, and stay closed in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your property with shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will require suitable extractor fans that vent out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Karori

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required in all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation is in line with this new standard. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, as well as making it easier to allow the house to retain the heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 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 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Karori Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s usually what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from getting into the home. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Karori

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with the Healthy Homes Standard in Karori include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Karori for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns you should look for in the house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today to book your rental properties home evaluation.