Healthy Homes Assessment Karori

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Karori rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully in compliance by July 1st 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 whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work that needs to be done and offer a report with all the information needed 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 under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, we 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

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Karori rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be finished by the end of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as the person who is leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and must be updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have a house assessment performed on your rental property.

Find the full information on details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Karori, and research has shown that these rental homes are likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who reported four or more major issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

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

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping on Karori rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Karori

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A humid home costs more to heat, which results in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or hole that needs sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out into the house require seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever possible.

You don’t need to block off gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure as the home warms and cools to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will check every window and door in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Karori

Rental properties in Karori need to have a stable source of heat that can warm the living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if your current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to top up by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump then it must include the thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source such as heat pumps, it may require an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Karori

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one opening door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about acknowledging that dry air is much easier to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or skylight needs to have the ability open to the outside while remaining at an open angle in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your house that houses shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will need proper extractor fan systems which are vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Karori

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required to all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and will also make an easier task for the household to hold the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of 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

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

Karori Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow and prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically the concerns you don’t notice that could be a huge problem and end up causing damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Karori

The areas of rental property that are affected to Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Karori include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Karori for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to look over in a home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert advice, call today to book your rental properties house assessment.