Healthy Homes Assessment Karaka Bays

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? The landlords are now required to ensure their Karaka Bays rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks which requirements to be done, and offer the report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties as well as fully certified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Karaka Bays rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be done by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Karaka Bays rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property which could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be current when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It is crucial to remember that a landlord with several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have an home evaluation performed on your rental property.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Karaka Bays, and research shows us that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who have reported four or more major home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the quality of Karaka Bays rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and living due to health issues. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping within Karaka Bays rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss getting a Karaka Bays Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Karaka Bays

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within houses. A cold home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap that is, it’s most likely a gap or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out within your home require the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent possible.

There is no require to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for the movement of the building when the household heats and cools, so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will examine all windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Karaka Bays

Karaka Bays rental properties should have a permanent heating source that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat source, then it must have an thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, such as the heat pump, it could require an update to ensure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the standard since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Karaka Bays

Each liveable space in the rental property should contain at minimum one open door or window to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about understanding that dry air will be more easy to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable and therefore don’t need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or Skylight needs at least to open up to the outside and remain set in an opening position to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will require appropriate extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Karaka Bays

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required on all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may need to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and will also make more easy to the home to hold the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 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 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Karaka Bays Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s frequently those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue, causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to have efficient drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Karaka Bays

Property rental areas that are affected through Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Karaka Bays include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Karaka Bays for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to be able to examine in an home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice get in touch today and book your rental property house assessment.