Healthy Homes Assessment Karamu

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Karamu rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will 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 about any tasks required. requirements to be done and offer the report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties we are completely certified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 856 525

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Karamu rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Karamu rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property which could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it must be updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is also crucial to be aware that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for severe breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have an house inspection performed on your rental property.

Get the full description of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Karamu, and research suggests that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and are of lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who experience at least four major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improve the standard of Karamu rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and living because of diseases. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping in Karamu rental properties.

Start now and call about having a Karamu Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Karamu

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside houses. A draughty home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a hole or gap or crack, then it’s most likely a gap or crack that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of your home require seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped as far as possible.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement of the structure as the home gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will check the windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Karamu

Karamu rental properties need to have a stable source of heating which can warm the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it should be equipped with the thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a central heating source, such as heat pumps, it may require a top up to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Karamu

Each living space within a rental home must have at least one opening door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about understanding the fact that dry air is more easy to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus do not need an opening door or window.

Every window, door or skylight requirements at least to open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your property with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will require adequate extractor fans which are vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A warm dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Karamu

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory on all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation meets the new standard. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, as well as making much easier to allow the household to retain heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest area 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 and underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Karamu Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the inside it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow, and stop it from coming inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s typically the things you don’t notice that could be a huge problem, causing damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Karamu

Rental property areas affected with the Healthy Homes Standard in Karamu include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Karamu for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things you should look for in a home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with 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?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental properties home evaluation.