Healthy Homes Assessment Karaka Bays

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure their Karaka Bays rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

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

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re fully certified for each of 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, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Karaka Bays rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be completed inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new or renewed lease is entered into on a Karaka Bays rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the property manager does not supply the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they can be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate when the tenancy contract is signed. It should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It is important to remember that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct a house inspection performed for your rental property.

Find the full information on this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Karaka Bays, and research indicates that rental homes are likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative health results, specifically for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who report at least four key house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Improve the standard of Karaka Bays rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping in Karaka Bays rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss having a Karaka Bays Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Karaka Bays

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in houses. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap that is, it is likely a crack or hole that requirements sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into the home need the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t need to block gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure as the household warms and cools so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than securing. We will test all doors and windows as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Karaka Bays

Rental properties in Karaka Bays require a reliable source of heat that can heat the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if your current fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top-up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it requirements to be equipped with an thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source like an air conditioner, it could require a top up to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Karaka Bays

Each living space within the rental property should have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

The ventilation standard is all about understanding the fact that dry air is less difficult to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or skylight requirements at least of opening to the outside, but remain set in an opening position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your home with shower, bath and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will need adequate extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Karaka Bays

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement for all rent homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation is in line with this new standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and also makes more easy to allow the home to keep the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values of your area.

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Karaka Bays Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the inside but you must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s often the concerns you don’t notice that can become a big problem that can cause damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the property. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Learn more about 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 to The Healthy Homes Standard in Karaka Bays include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Karaka Bays for Rental Properties

There are many things to check when conducting the house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental property house evaluation.