Healthy Homes Assessment Karori

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords now have 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 rental properties must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work that requirements to be done, and provide the report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes connected fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re completely qualified to assess 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, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Karori rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be finished within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the property manager is unable to provide the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing 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 accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s crucial to be aware that landlords who own multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for severe violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in significant fines and still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have an home inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households rent homes in New Zealand and Karori, and research has shown that these rental homes are likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who report four or more major issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Improve the quality of Karori rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of illness. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control within Karori rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss the Karori Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Karori

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within homes. A humid home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a gap or hole that is, it is likely to be a gap or hole that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out within the house require the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated whenever imaginable.

You don’t require to block up intentional holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement within the structure when the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will inspect the windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Karori

Rental properties in Karori should have a permanent source of heat which can warm the living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to top up with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it must include a thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as the heat pump, it could require an update to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Karori

Every living space of a rental property must contain at minimum one open doors or windows to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about recognising that dried air can be more easy to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t liveable and therefore don’t require an opening window or door.

Each door, window or skylight needs to be able to open to the outside while remaining closed, allowing the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your home that has a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will need adequate extractor fans that vent towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

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

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Karori

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory to all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and will also make it easier for the household to keep the heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all part 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 below floor R 1.3

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Karori Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water, and stop it from coming into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s frequently what you don’t see that could be a huge problem that can cause damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water is able to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

See the full details of the 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 Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Karori for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to look over when conducting an house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today and book your rental properties house evaluation.