Healthy Homes Assessment Karori

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords now have to make sure their Karori rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties are required to be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work that needs to be completed, and provide an assessment report that includes all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in 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 $7,200 plus additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re completely qualified for 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, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Karori rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be done inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Karori rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property, so it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It’s crucial to remember that landlords with multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have an house inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Karori, and research shows us that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating and tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the standard of Karori rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for 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 Karori rental properties.

Begin now by calling about receiving a Karori Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Karori

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within houses. A humid home will cost more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a gap or hole that is, it’s likely to be a gap or hole that needs sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from the house require sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as far as imaginable.

There is no need to block off gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement within the structure when the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will check every window and door during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Karori

Rental properties in Karori should have a permanent heating source that can warm the living space to at least 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the current fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump it should be equipped with the thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like small apartments an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source, such as an air conditioner, it may need an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the standard as they are either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Karori

Every living space of a rental property has to contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about understanding how dry air will be much easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t liveable and therefore are not require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or Skylight requirements at least to open up to the outside, and stay at an open angle in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your home that has shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will need suitable extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Karori

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory for all rent houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation meets this new quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and also makes it easier to the home to retain warmth.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Karori Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow and prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is frequently the concerns you don’t notice that can become a big problem and cause damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the property. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Karori

Areas of rental properties that are impacted by the Healthy Homes Standard in Karori include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Karori for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to check during an home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an ruling on tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For expert guidance, contact us today to book your rental property home evaluation.