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 July 2021? Landlords must make sure 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 rentals are required to be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by 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 whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work that needs to be completed, and offer a report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes connected fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties we are fully certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

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

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It should be maintained through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It is crucial to note that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are handed down for serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and request an home assessment done for your rental property.

Get the full description 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 in New Zealand and Karori, and research has shown that these rental homes are most likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative health results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who report at least four major house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Improve the standard of Karori rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and daily life because of health issues. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping within Karori rental properties.

Start now and call about having a Karori Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Karori

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside homes. A draughty home costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a hole or gap, then it is likely a crack or crack that requirements sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out within the house require seals. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated whenever imaginable.

You don’t need to cover up gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for the movement of the building as the household is heated and cools to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will test the windows and doors as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Karori

Karori rental properties need to have a stable source of heating that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat source, it must be equipped with an thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source like an air conditioner, it could need an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality as they are either costly, not affordable to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Karori

Every living space of the rental property should include at least one open window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

The ventilation standard is all about understanding the fact that dry air will be less difficult to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or skylight needs for them to be in a position open to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

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

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

A cozy dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Karori

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation meets the new standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and will also make an easier task to the household to keep heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values required for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation withstands 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 of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

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

Karori Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s usually those things that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem and end up causing damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from rising into the property. It also assists 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

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Karori include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Karori for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to be able to examine during an home assessment to see if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today to schedule your rental properties home evaluation.