Healthy Homes Assessment Karamu

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure their Karamu rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by 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. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work required. requirements to be completed, and offer an evaluation report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes associated fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re completely qualified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 232 113

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Karamu rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new or renewed lease is entered into on a Karamu rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the renewal, new 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 are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed. It must be updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it is finished.

It is important to remember that landlords who have multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved only for serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and request a house assessment done on your rental property.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households rent in New Zealand and Karamu, and research suggests that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative health outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who report at least four key housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Karamu rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and living because of illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping for Karamu rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss the Karamu Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Karamu

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in homes. A damp house will cost more to heat, which results in wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap or crack, then it is probably a gap or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out of your home require seals. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped as far as possible.

There is no require to block off holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement of the structure as the household warms and cools so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will check every window and door as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Karamu

Rental properties in Karamu need to have a stable source of heat that can warm the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. 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 heating source needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if your current permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it needs to include a thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source such as heat pumps, it might just require an upgrade to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

Check out the complete details to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Karamu

Each liveable space in a rental house must have at least one opening window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

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

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

Every window, door or Skylight requirements to be able to open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will need proper extractor fan systems that can be vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Karamu

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required on all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation is up to this new quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and it will make much easier for the household to hold heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of the 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Karamu Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the inside It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble and cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the building. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Karamu

Property rental areas that are affected through the Healthy Homes Standard in Karamu include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Karamu 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. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental properties house assessment.