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 July 2021? The landlords are now required to 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 fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property and 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 work needed to be completed. requirements to be completed and offer an evaluation report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes related fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, and are completely qualified for each of 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 or renewed tenancy is signed for a Karori rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be finished within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a 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 within the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they will receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is named on the lease contract as the person who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It’s important to note that landlords who own multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are reserved only for serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct an home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Karori, and research suggests that rental homes are likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who reported four or more major home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Karori rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and living because of illnesses. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less 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 as Draught stopping for Karori rental properties.

Start now and call about having a Karori Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Karori

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within homes. A draughty house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap, then it’s likely to be a gap or hole that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out into your house need seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated as far as possible.

There is no need to block gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement within the structure when the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Karori

Karori rental properties must have a fixed source of heating that can warm the living space to at least 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to top up with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it should include the thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a central heating source such as a heat pump, then it might just need an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the quality because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

Check out the complete details for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Karori

Every living space in a rental property must include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

This ventilation standard is all about understanding how dried air can be easier to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not living spaces and therefore do not require an opening window or door.

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

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

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Karori

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation is up to current quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might need to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, as well as making an easier task for the home to retain heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 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, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Karori Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the inside It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go, and prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s usually what you don’t see that can become a big problem that can cause the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and the ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from rising into the home. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

See the full details of the 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 Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Karori include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Karori for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to check in an home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice, call today to book your rental properties house assessment.