Healthy Homes Assessment Karori

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 make sure that their Karori rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects 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 satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks required. requirements to be completed, and offer a report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, as well as completely 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, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Karori rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be completed inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Karori rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they could receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as the one who is who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s important to remember that a landlord with multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are reserved for severe breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have an house inspection performed for your rental property.

See the full details for 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 Karori, and research has shown that these rental homes tend to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who reported four or more key home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Improve the quality of Karori rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and living due to illnesses. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping on Karori rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Karori

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within houses. A cold home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap, then it’s most likely a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out within your house require seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no require to cover up holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow movement of the structure as the household heats and cools, so that they can still be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will examine all doors and windows during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for well-being homes

Heating Karori

Rental properties in Karori should have a permanent source of heat that is able to heat the main or largest living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the existing installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump then it must include the thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. For most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source like an air conditioner, it might require a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Karori

Each liveable space in a rental property must contain at minimum one open door or window to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is about recognising how dry air will be more easy to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or skylight requirements to be able to open up to the outside and remain set in an opening position in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your house that houses shower, bath and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will need suitable extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Karori

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement on all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation is up to the new standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might need to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and it will make it easier for the household to keep warmth.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 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, underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Karori Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the inside It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is often those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem that can cause damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to remove storm water, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the building. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Karori

Property rental areas that are affected with the Healthy Homes Standards in Karori include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Karori for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to be able to examine when conducting an home review to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the ruling on tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to book your rental property house evaluation.