Healthy Homes Assessment Karori

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must make sure their Karori rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work which requirements to be done and provide the report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes relevant 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

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Karori rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be done inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new or renewed lease is entered into on a Karori rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as the person who is leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it is updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It is important to remember that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have an house inspection performed for your rental property.

Check out the complete details of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Karori, and research has shown that these rental homes tend to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and tend to be lower quality than the houses of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes can have negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who experience four or more key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Karori rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and living due to illness. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Control within Karori rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about having a Karori Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Karori

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside households. A draughty home costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap, then it is likely to be a gap or crack that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out within your home require sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped as far as possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow movement of the building when the household warms and cools so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will examine all windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Karori

Karori rental properties should have a permanent source of heat that can heat the largest or main living space to at least 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the current fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to top up with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump then it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source, like the heat pump, it might just need an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Karori

Each liveable space in the rental property should have at least one opening window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to remove moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about understanding the fact that dried air can be much easier to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable and do not need an opening door or window.

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

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your home that has shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require suitable extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Karori

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory on all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation is up to current standard. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and will also make an easier task for the house to hold warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" is a symbol for 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 rest of the 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.

Karori Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the inside it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go and to prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s frequently not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble, causing damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to remove storm water, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from entering the structure. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Karori

Rental property areas affected through the Healthy Homes Standards in Karori include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Karori for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to look over when conducting an house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For expert guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental property house assessment.