Healthy Homes Assessment Karaka Bays

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Karaka Bays rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks required. needs to be done, and offer the report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes related fines.

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

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Karaka Bays rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be done by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Karaka Bays rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

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

It is also crucial to note that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and arrange to have an house assessment done on your rental property.

See the full details for the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Karaka Bays, and research suggests that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and have lower quality than the homes of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who have reported at least four key home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Karaka Bays rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and living because of illness. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping on Karaka Bays rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Karaka Bays Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Karaka Bays

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in households. A humid house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a gap or hole, then it is likely to be a gap or hole which requirements sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out of your house require sealing. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be sealed 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 off holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement within the building as the household warms and cools to allow them to be opened and closed rather than securing. We will examine all windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Karaka Bays

Karaka Bays rental properties require a reliable source of heating that is able to heat the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the current fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it should include an thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source such as an air conditioner, it might need an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the quality since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Karaka Bays

Each living space within a rental property has to contain at minimum one open doors or windows to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

This ventilation quality is about recognising that dry air will be less difficult to heat and that a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore are not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or skylight requirements to have the ability of opening to the outside, and stay at an open angle, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will require appropriate extractor fans that vent out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Karaka Bays

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required to all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, as well as making it easier to the house to keep the heat.

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

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

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

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Karaka Bays Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside but you must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water and prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is usually those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem and cause damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Karaka Bays

Rental property areas affected by The Healthy Homes Standards in Karaka Bays include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Karaka Bays for Rental Properties

There are many things you should look for during an home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For professional assistance, get in touch today and book your rental property house evaluation.