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 any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by 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 if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks that requirements to be done, and provide the report with all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes related fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re fully 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, if a new or renewed contract is signed on a Karaka Bays rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Karaka Bays rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated 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 property they live in. If the property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or incorrect 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 being the person leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It is updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It is important to keep in mind that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in 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 ask us to conduct a house assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Karaka Bays, and research shows us that these rental houses tend to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the houses of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who experience four or more major home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Improve the quality of Karaka Bays rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and living due to health issues. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping for Karaka Bays rental properties.

Start now and call about the Karaka Bays Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Karaka Bays

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in households. A humid house costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the air is clear out of a hole or gap or crack, then it’s most likely a gap or hole which needs sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out from the house need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as far as possible.

You don’t need to block gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the house warms and cools so that they can still be closed and opened rather than securing. We will inspect all doors and windows as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for healthy homes

Heating Karaka Bays

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

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump it should be equipped with a thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source, such as the heat pump, it may need an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Karaka Bays

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one openable door or window to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about understanding how dry air is more easy to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or skylight requirements to be able open to the outside, but remain at an open angle in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your home with a bath, shower and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will need suitable extractor fans that are vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

Find out all the details about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Karaka Bays

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory on all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure the insulation meets the new quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and will also make it easier for the house to retain warmth.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

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

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Karaka Bays Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the inside but you must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow, and stop it from coming inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s frequently what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to remove rainwater, storm water, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from rising into the home. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Karaka Bays

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

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Karaka Bays for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to check when conducting a home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenant services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice, call now and schedule your rental property house evaluation.