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 effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must 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 rental properties are required to be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. 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 information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re fully certified for both 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, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Karaka Bays rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be done within 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is who is letting the property It could also be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is signed. It is updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It is important to remember that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have an house inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Karaka Bays, and research has shown that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating and have lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who have reported four or more major housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Improving the standard of Karaka Bays rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to diseases. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping for Karaka Bays rental properties.

Begin now by calling 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 less temperature in households. A draughty home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the air is clear out of a hole or gap and you can feel it, it is probably a gap or hole that requirements sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out from the home require the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as much as imaginable.

You don’t require to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement of the building when the home is heated and cools so that they are able to be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will test all doors and windows during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Karaka Bays

Rental properties in Karaka Bays should have a permanent heating source which can warm the living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the existing fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), then it must have a thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source like an air conditioner, it may need an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the quality because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Karaka Bays

Every living space in the rental property should include at least one open window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

The ventilation quality is all about understanding the fact that dry air will be less difficult to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus don’t require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or skylight needs to have the ability open to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your house that houses shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will require appropriate extractor fans that vent towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Karaka Bays

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory in all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation is in line with this new standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and also makes it easier 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 measure of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the 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 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Karaka Bays Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow and stop it from coming into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is typically what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from getting into the property. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of 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 Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Karaka Bays include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Karaka Bays for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to look over during an home assessment to see if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a Tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For expert advice, call today to book your rental properties home evaluation.