Healthy Homes Assessment Karaka Bays

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must make sure their Karaka Bays rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

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

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes relevant fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental property, and are fully certified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Karaka Bays rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on the Karaka Bays rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It’s also important to note that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct a home assessment done for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Karaka Bays, and research shows us that these rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and have lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. In addition, people who report at least four key house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Improving the standard of Karaka Bays rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping in Karaka Bays rental properties.

Start now and call about having a Karaka Bays Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Karaka Bays

Draughts may lead to less temperature in households. A draughty house will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a hole or gap or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or crack that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out into the home require to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched as much as imaginable.

There is no require to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement of the structure when the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will check all doors and windows during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for healthy houses

Heating Karaka Bays

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

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top-up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it requirements to have a thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source, such as an air conditioner, it might just require some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Karaka Bays

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about understanding how dry air will be less difficult to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or skylight needs to be able to open to the outside, and stay at an open angle to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your house that houses a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will need appropriate extractor fans that vent out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Karaka Bays

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory on all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, as well as making it easier to the household to retain the heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more efficient 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 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Karaka Bays Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is often not apparent that it can become a big problem and cause damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have effective drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to 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 do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from getting into the home. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Karaka Bays

Areas of rental properties that are impacted by Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Karaka Bays include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Karaka Bays for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to look over when conducting the house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today and book your rental property house assessment.