Healthy Homes Assessment Karamu

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Karamu rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully conforming by the 1st 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 check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be completed and provide the report with all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties we are fully qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Karamu rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Karamu 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 an amount of $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out which could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is completed, and is updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is crucial to keep in mind that landlords who have multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for the most serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct a house assessment performed on your rental property.

See the full details for details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Karamu, and research has shown that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative health results, specifically for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four key issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Karamu rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to health issues. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught stopping within Karamu rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Karamu

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or crack that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out of the home require to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

There is no need to block holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement within the building when the home is heated and cools to allow them to be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will check all doors and windows as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for well-being homes

Heating Karamu

Rental properties in Karamu should have a permanent heating source which can warm the largest or main living space to at least 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to top up with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it must include the thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a central heating source, like an air conditioner, it could require a top up to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard because they’re costly, not affordable to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Karamu

Each liveable space in the rental property should have at least one opening door or window to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

The ventilation quality is about recognising how dry air is less difficult to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or the skylight needs to be able to open up to the outside and remain closed in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your home with a bath, shower and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will need proper extractor fan systems that vent out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A warm dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Karamu

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might require to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and it will make it easier for the house to retain heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

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

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Karamu Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move and stop it from coming into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is often those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue that can cause damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the home. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Karamu

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Karamu include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Karamu for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to look over in the house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental property home evaluation.