Healthy Homes Assessment Karaka Bays

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Karaka Bays rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks needed to be completed. needs to be completed and provide an evaluation report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is 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

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Karaka Bays rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be completed inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy 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 one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they could be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of as much as $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 to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is renting the property It could also be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It is also important to note that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved only for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have a home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Karaka Bays, and research indicates that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Additionally, those who have reported at least four major housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Improve the quality of Karaka Bays rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and living because of illness. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs over the long term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Karaka Bays

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside households. A damp 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, it requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole that is, it is likely a crack or crack that needs sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out into the home need the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t need to block off gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement of the structure as the home warms and cools so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will inspect all windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Karaka Bays

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

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump it must include the thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source like heat pumps, it may need some additional energy to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Karaka Bays

Every living space in a rental home must contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about understanding the fact that dry air is much easier to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or skylight needs for them to be in a position open to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your property with shower, bath cooker or any other water-generating appliance will require appropriate extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Karaka Bays

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required in all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure the insulation meets current standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and it will make an easier task to allow the home to retain heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Karaka Bays Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow and stop it from coming inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s typically those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from getting into the home. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of 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 Standard in Karaka Bays include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Karaka Bays for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to be able to examine when conducting a home assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenant services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For professional advice, call today to schedule your rental properties house assessment.