Healthy Homes Assessment Karori

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 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 are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate 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 about the tasks that requirements to be completed, and provide an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes associated fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, we are fully qualified to assess each of 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 brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Karori rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be completed within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on the Karori rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they could receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it must be updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It’s important to note that landlords who own multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for the most serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and request a home assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households in New Zealand and Karori, and research shows us that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. In addition, people who have reported four or more key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improving the standard of Karori rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and living due to illness. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping on Karori rental properties.

Begin now by calling about receiving a Karori Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Karori

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in households. A cold house will cost more to heat, which results in wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole and you can feel it, it is likely a crack or crack that needs sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out within the home need the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to block gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement within the building as the house is heated and cools in order to let them be closed and opened rather than securing. We will inspect every window and door as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Karori

Rental properties in Karori should have a permanent heating source that is able to heat the living room to at least 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the existing installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to top up with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump then it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a central heating source such as the heat pump, it might require an upgrade to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the quality as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Karori

Each liveable space in a rental property has to contain at minimum one open doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about understanding how the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered living spaces and therefore do not need an opening door or window.

Each door, window or the skylight requirements to have the ability to open to the outside and remain fixed in an open position to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your property with shower, bath and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will need proper extractor fan systems that can be vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Karori

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required for all rent homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, as well as making much easier to the household to hold the heat.

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

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

• 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Karori Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the inside but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s usually not apparent that it could become a major issue and cause the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to have efficient drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from rising into the home. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Karori

The areas of rental property that are affected to the Healthy Homes Standards in Karori include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Karori for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to look over when conducting a home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenant services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property house assessment.