Healthy Homes Assessment Karaka Bays

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 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 new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

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

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

We will assess your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about the work required. requirements to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors for rental properties, and are completely certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

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

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property It could also be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be current when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it is updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It is crucial to be aware that a landlord with multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are reserved for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have an home assessment done 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 rent the property in New Zealand and Karaka Bays, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who experience at least four key house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the standard of Karaka Bays rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to diseases. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal 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 the Karaka Bays Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Karaka Bays

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in homes. A cold home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a hole or gap or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or crack that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of the house require to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as possible.

You don’t require to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement of the building as the house warms and cools so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will check every window and door as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Karaka Bays

Karaka Bays rental properties need to have a stable source of heat which can warm the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the existing fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump then it must include a thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. In most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like an air conditioner, it could require an update to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Karaka Bays

Each living space within the rental property should have at least one openable window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

This ventilation quality is about recognising how dry air will be much easier to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or skylight needs to be able to open up to the outside, and stay closed in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your house that houses a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will need proper extractor fan systems that are vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Karaka Bays

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory on all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, as well as making it easier to allow the household to keep heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

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

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Karaka Bays Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the inside but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is typically what you don’t see that could become a major issue and cause the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Karaka Bays

Rental property areas affected by the Healthy Homes Standards in Karaka Bays include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Karaka Bays for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to look over during the home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today to book your rental property house assessment.