Healthy Homes Assessment Karamu

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 now have to ensure that their Karamu rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties are required to be completely 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 evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work that needs to be done, and offer the report with 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 violation 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 associated fines.

Our company is completely 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

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Karamu rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be finished by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on the Karamu rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property which could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current when the tenancy contract is completed, and must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It is also important to remember that landlords who manage several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given only for serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have an home evaluation performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Karamu, and research shows us that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who report four or more major home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Improve the quality of Karamu rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and living because of illness. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping for Karamu rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about the Karamu Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Karamu

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within houses. A humid home costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap, then it is probably a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out of your home need sealing. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever imaginable.

There is no require to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement within the building as the home is heated and cools so that they can still be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will check all windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Karamu

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

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump then it must have an thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. For most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a central heating source, like a heat pump, then it might just need an update to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Karamu

Every living space of a rental property has to have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

This ventilation standard is about recognising that dry air will be easier to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

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

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your home that has a bath, shower, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will need adequate extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

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

A dry and warm house is a healthy house

Insulation Karamu

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation is up to current quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, as well as making much easier to allow the household to hold warmth.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Karamu Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move, and prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s usually the concerns you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a place to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from getting into the structure. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Karamu

Rental property areas affected through Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Karamu include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Karamu for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to be able to examine when conducting the home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an Tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today to book your rental property home assessment.