Healthy Homes Assessment Karori

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Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Karori rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

We will assess the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work which needs to be done and offer a report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of 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 relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, and are completely certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777
healthy homes assessment fines for non-compliance
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 work have to be done by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new or renewed lease is entered into on a Karori rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

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

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current when the tenancy contract is executed, and it should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It’s important to remember that landlords who own multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for severe breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in large fines in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have a home inspection performed for your rental property.

Check out the complete details of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Karori, and research shows us that these rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who report four or more key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Karori rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control in Karori rental properties.

Start now and call about getting a Karori Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

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How Other People Rate Us

Fantastic service, really pleased with how thorough the report was - also impressed that it was able to be done at such short notice. A+
Daniel
This is a high quality service where they are willing to go above and beyond the call of duty. I was incredibly impressed by the speed and quality of the inspection and report.
Brendon
An excellent and thorough report! Much appreciated. I’ll definitely be recommending
Callum
What time will I need to be in compliance with my Healthy Homes Standards?

Karori Healthy Homes Compliance Timeframes

Tenancies signed from 1 July 2019 to the 30th June in 2021

  • The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement for all Karori and New Zealand rental houses where it’s reasonably practicable to put in.
  • A Healthy Homes Declaration of Intent, an Insulation Statement and an Insurance Statement must be included in any renewed, new or varied tenancy agreement.
  • Property managers and landlords are required to keep records that demonstrate conformance with any Healthy Homes Standard that apply or will apply throughout the tenancy period of an apartment rental.

From July 1st 2021

  • Property managers and private landlords have to ensure that their rental properties are in compliance with the Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a newly renewed, extended or changed tenant.
  • All the boarding houses (except Kainga Ora and Community Housing Providers with registered boarding house tenancies) must adhere to the Healthy Homes Standards regardless of when the tenancy began.

Beginning 1 July 2023

  • All households let to Kainga Ora (formerly Housing New Zealand) and registered Community Housing Providers must comply with the Healthy Homes Standards regardless of the date when the tenancy started.

Beginning 1 July 2024

  • All rentals homes are required to comply with Healthy Homes Standards regardless of when the tenancy began.
Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Karori

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside houses. A draughty house costs more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap or crack, then it’s most likely a gap or crack that needs sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out into the home need to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as far as imaginable.

There is no need to block holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement of the building when the household gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will examine every window and door as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

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Proper heating is important for healthy homes

Heating Karori

Rental properties in Karori require a reliable source of heating which can warm the main or largest living space to at least 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current 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 are not considered acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat source, then it must be equipped with the thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source like the heat pump, it might need some additional energy to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Karori

Every living space in a rental property must include at least one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

This ventilation standard is about recognising that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or skylight needs to have the ability of opening to the outside while remaining at an open angle, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your home with a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture-producing item will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented towards the outside. This 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 high moisture areas.

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

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A dry and warm house is a healthy home

Insulation Karori

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement for all rent houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation is in line with this new quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may need to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and it will make an easier task to the household to retain heat.

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

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

  • Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
  • Zone 2 – The rest 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Karori Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow and stop it from coming inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s often those things that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem and cause damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

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Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Karori

The areas of rental property that are affected with Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Karori include each:

  • Living Rooms
  • Bedrooms
  • Dining Rooms
  • Bathrooms
  • Kitchens
  • Laundry
Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Karori for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to be able to examine in the home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

  • Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
  • Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
  • Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
  • Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
  • Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenancy services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert guidance, contact us today to book your rental property home assessment.

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Healthy Homes Assessment Karori Wellington 6012

Reasons People Choose Us
About Us &

What We Do

As building inspectors we handle all aspects involved in professional house inspects. We’re here to make sure that you make the correct decision when buying your next home.

We take your investment seriously and conduct detailed examinations to ensure you don’t get any unexpected or expensive unpleasant surprises, so you are able to relax and focus on the fun parts of owning or purchasing the home.

We specialise in a range of services to make sure that you are completely informed about the condition of any property that you might be thinking of buying or selling along with other solutions.

We do not just collaborate with you, but we also work with big clients like the local authorities, banks and insurance firms. Evidently , they are pleased with their peace of mind provided, because of the information contained included in our reports on building inspections.

With our systematic method of conducting your home inspection and the most up-to-date software technology including digital photos imbedded into your report, you are able to actually see any issues that may be identified. Because of our detailed report, it’s easy to understand why we receive so many referrals from clients our service to family and acquaintances.

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Comprehensive Home Reports

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  • Healthy Homes Assessments
  • General Consultancy
  • Handover Reports
  • Asbestos Compliance
  • Mould Inspection
  • Dilapidation Reports
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