Healthy Homes Assessment Karaka Bays

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords must ensure that 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 completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work which requirements to be done and provide the report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes relevant fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re completely qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed lease is entered into on the Karaka Bays rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for 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 required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty up to $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current when the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is also crucial to note that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are given only for serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have a house assessment done on your rental property.

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

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Karaka Bays, and research has shown that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the homes of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who experience four or more major issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Improving the quality of Karaka Bays rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and living because of illnesses. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping for Karaka Bays rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about getting a Karaka Bays Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Draught Stopping Karaka Bays

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside houses. A draughty home will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap that is, it is most likely a gap or hole which needs sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out of your house need to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated whenever possible.

There is no require to block off holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement within the building when the house warms and cools so that they can still be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will test the windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Heating Karaka Bays

Rental properties in Karaka Bays need to have a stable heating source that is able to heat the largest or main living space to at least 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The heating source needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the current permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it requirements to be equipped with an thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as the heat pump, it might just require an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality as they are either costly, not affordable to run, and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Karaka Bays

Each living space within a rental property has to have at least one openable doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation standard is about recognising that dried air can be more easy to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open up to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home that has a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture generating item will require proper extractor fan systems that can be vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

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

Insulation Karaka Bays

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation is up to the new quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and will also make much easier to allow the household to keep heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor 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

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

Karaka Bays Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the inside It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s often what you don’t see that can become a big problem, causing damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Rental Property Home Assessments Karaka Bays

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

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

Home Assessments Karaka Bays for Rental Properties

There are many things you should look for in a house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenant solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today and book your rental property home evaluation.