Healthy Homes Assessment Karaka Bays

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords must make sure their Karaka Bays rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely 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 will evaluate your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work needed to be completed. needs to be done, and provide an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes associated fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors for rental properties, and are completely certified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Karaka Bays 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 Tenancy is signed for the Karaka Bays rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

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

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty up to $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as the one who is letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s also important to keep in mind that landlords who have multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct a house assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households rent from New Zealand and Karaka Bays, and research has shown that these rental homes tend to be colder, older, have less effective heating and have lower quality than the homes of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative health outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who reported at least four major home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Karaka Bays rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living due to health issues. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control in Karaka Bays rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Karaka Bays

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within homes. A draughty house costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap, then it is likely a crack or an opening that needs sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out of your home require to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated whenever possible.

You don’t require to cover up gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement of the structure as the household warms and cools in order to let them be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will examine every window and door in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are crucial for well-being homes

Heating Karaka Bays

Karaka Bays rental properties require a reliable heating source that can heat the living space to at least 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether your current fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump then it must be equipped with the thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a central heating source like heat pumps, it might require a top up to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Karaka Bays

Every living space of a rental property must have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about recognising it is that dried air can be less difficult to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore do not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or skylight needs to have the ability to open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your home with a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture generating item will require adequate extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Karaka Bays

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory for all rent houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation meets the new quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness as well as making it easier to the home to keep heat.

Insulation needs 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 can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

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

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Karaka Bays Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the inside It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s usually not apparent that it could be a huge problem, causing damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Karaka Bays

Property rental areas that are affected with the Healthy Homes Standard in Karaka Bays include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Karaka Bays for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns you should look for in a house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today to book your rental property house assessment.