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 of July 2021? Landlords must make sure their Karori 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 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 whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks which requirements to be completed and offer an assessment report that includes all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re completely certified to evaluate each of 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 tenancy is signed on a Karori rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be completed within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Karori rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they may receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it must be updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It’s also important to remember that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given only for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and arrange to have an home inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Karori, and research has shown that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than the houses of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who experience four or more major housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Improving the quality of Karori rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and living due to health issues. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

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

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Karori Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Karori

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in homes. A damp home will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole or crack, then it’s probably a gap or hole that needs sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out into the house need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched whenever possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement within the building as the household warms and cools in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will check every window and door during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is important for well-being homes

Heating Karori

Rental properties in Karori require a reliable source of heating which can warm the living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The heating source needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top-up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump it requirements to have the thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. In most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like heat pumps, it might require an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard because they’re costly, not affordable to run, and/or unsafe to run.

Check out the complete details for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Karori

Every living space in a rental house must include at least one open door or window to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is about recognising that dry air is more easy to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t liveable and are not require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or the skylight needs at least of opening to the outside, and stay at an open angle to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your house that houses shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will need suitable extractor fans that vent out 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 in high moisture areas.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Karori

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory for all rent houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation is up to current standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and it will make an easier task to the home to keep the heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 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 - 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 the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Karori Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the inside it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow, and stop it from coming into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s typically those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem and cause damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to have effective drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from rising into the property. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor 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 Karori

Rental property areas affected to The Healthy Homes Standard in Karori include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Karori for Rental Properties

There are many things to look over during an house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental properties home assessment.