Healthy Homes Assessment Karaka Bays

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? Landlords now have to make sure their Karaka Bays rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties are required to be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

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

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

We can assess your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work that needs to be completed, and provide the report with all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes relevant fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors for rental properties, we are completely qualified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

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

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they can receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

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

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be current when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that a landlord with multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for the most serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and make arrangements to have an house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Check out the complete details of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households rent from New Zealand and Karaka Bays, and research indicates that rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who experience at least four key house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the quality of Karaka Bays rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and living due to health issues. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping for Karaka Bays rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about receiving a Karaka Bays Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Karaka Bays

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside households. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap that is, it is likely to be a gap or hole that requirements sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out of the house need sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched whenever possible.

There is no require to block gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for the movement of the building as the house is heated and cools in order to let them be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will examine all windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Karaka Bays

Rental properties in Karaka Bays need to have a stable heating source which can warm the main or largest living room to at least 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top-up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it should include an thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like small apartments an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source, like a heat pump, then it may need some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Karaka Bays

Every living space of a rental property must contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

This ventilation standard is all about recognising how dried air can 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 considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable , and thus are not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or skylight requirements for them to be in a position open to the outside, and stay closed, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your property with shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will need adequate extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Karaka Bays

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory in all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and it will make it easier to the house to keep warmth.

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 withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and 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 and underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Karaka Bays Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is frequently the things you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to be equipped with effective drainage to remove rainwater, storm water and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a location to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between floorboards and soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from getting into the home. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of The 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 with the Healthy Homes Standards in Karaka Bays include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Karaka Bays for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to be able to examine in the house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today and book your rental property home evaluation.