Healthy Homes Assessment Karaka Bays

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Karaka Bays rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties 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 can evaluate your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks that needs to be done and provide the report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes related fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, and are completely qualified 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, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Karaka Bays rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be completed within 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within a new, renewed or amended 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 property they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they can receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

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

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s also crucial to remember that landlords who manage several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for severe violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have an home assessment performed on your rental property.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households the property in New Zealand and Karaka Bays, and research suggests that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and heart diseases. In addition, people who have reported four or more major issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the quality of Karaka Bays rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and living due to illness. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping for Karaka Bays rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about getting 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 less temperature in houses. A damp house will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the air is clear from a crack or a gap and you are able to feel it, it’s likely a crack or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out within your home require the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no need to block holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for the movement of the structure when the home warms and cools so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will examine all windows and doors as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Karaka Bays

Rental properties in Karaka Bays require a reliable heating source which can warm the living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The heating source needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it needs to be equipped with a thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a central heating source, such as a heat pump, then it could require an update to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the quality because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Karaka Bays

Each liveable space in a rental property must include at least one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about understanding that dry air is less difficult to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered liveable and do not require an opening door or window.

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

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your property with shower, bath cooker or any other moisture-producing item will need suitable extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

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

A cozy dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Karaka Bays

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory in all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure the insulation meets the new standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and will also make it easier for the house to hold heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Karaka Bays Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface or ground water, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is often what you don’t see that could become a major issue and cause damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor 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

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Karaka Bays include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Karaka Bays for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to check when conducting a house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental property house evaluation.