Healthy Homes Assessment Karori

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Karori rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully certified by 1 July 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. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks required. requirements to be done and provide a report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes connected fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, and are fully qualified for 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, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Karori rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be finished within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Karori rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the property manager is unable to provide the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty up to $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate when the tenancy contract is executed, and it is updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It is also important to remember that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved only for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct a house evaluation performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Karori, and research has shown that these rental homes tend to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating, and generally are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as heart diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four key issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Karori rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of illness. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping within Karori rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Karori Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Karori

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in households. A draughty house will cost more to heat, which results in wasting money and energy.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or a clear draught from a crack or a gap, then it’s probably a gap or crack that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out from your house need the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as possible.

There is no need to block off holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure as the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will check every window and door in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Karori

Rental properties in Karori should have a permanent heating source that is able to heat the main or largest living room to at least 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), then it must have an thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source like an air conditioner, it may require some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

See the full details on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Karori

Every living space of a rental property must have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about acknowledging it is that dry air is much easier to heat and a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore are not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door or Skylight requirements to have the ability to open up to the outside and remain closed, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your home that has a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require adequate extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Karori

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation meets this new quality. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and it will make an easier task for the house to keep heat.

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

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

• 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 and floor 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 the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Karori Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the inside It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water and also stop it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s typically those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem, causing damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between your floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from entering the home. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Find out all the details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Karori

Property rental areas that are affected by Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Karori include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Karori for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to check in the house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental properties home assessment.