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 effect on the 1st of July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that 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 are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work which requirements to be completed and provide an evaluation report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes related fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, as well as fully certified to evaluate both 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, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Karaka Bays rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be done within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty up to $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out and it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it should be maintained through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It is also crucial to be aware that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have an house assessment performed for your rental property.

Check out the complete details of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households the property in New Zealand and Karaka Bays, and research has shown that these rental homes tend to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who reported at least four key home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Karaka Bays rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of health issues. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control in Karaka Bays rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss 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 homes. A draughty house will cost more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a crack or a gap and you can feel it, it is probably a gap or crack that needs sealing in some way. 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 to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as imaginable.

There is no need 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 within the structure as the household is heated and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will examine all windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Karaka Bays

Karaka Bays rental properties need to have a stable source of heat that can heat the living area to at minimum 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it must have a thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source, such as the heat pump, it might just need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Karaka Bays

Each living space within a rental property has to include at least one open window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation quality is all about recognising that dried air can be easier to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus do not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or the skylight needs for them to be in a position of opening to the outside and remain set in an opening position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your home with a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture generating item will require appropriate extractor fans that are vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Karaka Bays

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory for all rent houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure the insulation meets current quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might need to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and it will make much easier for the home to retain heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

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

Karaka Bays Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow, and stop it from coming inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is frequently not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to have effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Karaka Bays

The areas of rental property that are affected by The Healthy Homes Standards in Karaka Bays include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Karaka Bays for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things you should look for when conducting the house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to book your rental properties home assessment.