Healthy Homes Assessment Karaka Bays

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to ensure that their Karaka Bays rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully compliant 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 to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work that needs to be done, and provide a report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes associated fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re completely certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

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

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is named on the lease contract as the person renting the property, so it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it is updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It’s also important to be aware that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are given for severe violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and request an house assessment done for your rental property.

See the full details for this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households rent the property in New Zealand and Karaka Bays, and research indicates that rental houses tend to be older, colder, have less efficient heating and have lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as heart diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four major house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Improving the standard of Karaka Bays rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and living due to diseases. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping in 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 are a major cause of less temperature in houses. A cold home costs more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a gap or hole or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from the home require seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as much as imaginable.

You don’t need to block holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for the movement of the building as the home is heated and cools in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will test all doors and windows during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Karaka Bays

Rental properties in Karaka Bays should have a permanent heating source that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, then it must have a thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source, like the heat pump, it may require some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the quality as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Karaka Bays

Every living space of a rental house must have at least one openable doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation standard is all about acknowledging that dried air can be less difficult to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable and are not need an opening door or window.

Each door, window or the skylight needs for them to be in a position of opening to the outside, and stay set in an opening position, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your property with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will require suitable extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

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

A warm dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Karaka Bays

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory in all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and it will make more easy for the home to keep the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Karaka Bays Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s frequently the concerns you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to be equipped with effective drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between floorboards and ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from getting into the building. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Karaka Bays

The areas of rental property that are affected by Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard 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 look over when conducting a house assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenant services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional advice get in touch today and book your rental property house assessment.