Healthy Homes Assessment Karaka Bays

Rental Property Expert Advice

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 are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks which needs to be completed and offer an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes connected fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re 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

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

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

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it must be updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that landlords with several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for severe violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with large fines in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and make arrangements to have an house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households rent in New Zealand and Karaka Bays, and research suggests that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and are of lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who have reported four or more key housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Karaka Bays rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and living due to illness. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping on Karaka Bays rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Karaka Bays

Draughts may lead to less temperature in households. A damp home costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear out of a hole or gap or crack, then it’s probably a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out of your house need the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as possible.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for the movement of the building when the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be closed and opened rather than securing. We will inspect all doors and windows in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is important for healthy homes

Heating Karaka Bays

Karaka Bays rental properties should have a permanent heating source that is able to heat the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to top up with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat source, it needs to be equipped with the thermostat. This makes 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 certain situations, such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source, like a heat pump, then it might just need an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Karaka Bays

Every living space of a rental property has to have at least one openable doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about understanding the fact that dried air can be easier to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or the skylight needs to have the ability of opening to the outside, and stay set in an opening position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your house that houses shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need appropriate extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

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

A dry and warm house is an ideal house

Insulation Karaka Bays

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation is in line with the new standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might need to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, as well as making it easier to the house to retain heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Karaka Bays Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water and stop it from coming inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is usually the concerns you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between your flooring and the ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from entering the property. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Find out all the details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Karaka Bays

The areas of rental property that are affected with Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Karaka Bays include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Karaka Bays for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to be able to examine in an home review to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a Tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional advice, call today to schedule your rental properties house assessment.