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 in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure their Karaka Bays rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

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

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

We will evaluate your rental property and determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks which needs to be completed and offer the report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, as well as completely qualified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Karaka Bays rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of up to $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is named on the lease contract as the person leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it must be updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It’s also important to keep in mind that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have a house evaluation performed on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households from New Zealand and Karaka Bays, and research shows us that these rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally have lower quality than the homes of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who report at least four key housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Improving the quality of Karaka Bays rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of diseases. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs 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, and Draught Control in 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 are a major cause of dropping temperatures within households. A damp house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap that is, it’s likely a crack or crack that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from your house require sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t require to block up intentional holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure when the home heats and cools, so that they can still be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will test 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.

Adequate heaters are important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Karaka Bays

Rental properties in Karaka Bays require a reliable source of heating which can warm the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it should have the thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a central heating source such as the heat pump, it could require an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Karaka Bays

Every living space in a rental property has to contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about acknowledging it is that dry air is more easy to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t liveable and therefore do not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or skylight requirements at least of opening to the outside while remaining closed to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will need proper extractor fan systems that are vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Karaka Bays

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory for all rent homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure the insulation meets this new quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and will also make an easier task to allow the household to retain warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 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 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.

Karaka Bays Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the inside It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s typically what you don’t see that could be a huge problem that can cause damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a location to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from entering the home. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Karaka Bays

Property rental areas that are affected to Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Karaka Bays include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Karaka Bays for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to check during an home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to 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 expert guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental properties house evaluation.