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? Landlords are now required to make sure that their Karamu rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work that needs to be done, and provide an evaluation report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes connected fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, and are fully qualified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Karamu rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be finished inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Karamu rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who offer a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate when the tenancy contract is signed. It should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it is finished.

It is also important to note that landlords who manage multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given only for serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have an house assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Karamu, and research indicates that rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Improve the quality of Karamu rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping on Karamu rental properties.

Start now and call about the Karamu Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Karamu

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside houses. A damp home costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or hole that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out of the house need the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as much as possible.

There is no need to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement of the building as the house heats and cools, in order to let them be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will examine all doors and windows in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is important for healthy houses

Heating Karamu

Rental properties in Karamu require a reliable source of heating which can warm the main or largest living room to at least 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it must include a thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. For most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, like an air conditioner, it might just need some additional energy to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Karamu

Every living space in the rental property should include at least one open doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

This ventilation standard is all about recognising how dried air can be easier to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or the skylight needs at least open to the outside while remaining set in an opening position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home with shower, bath cooker or any other water-generating appliance will need proper extractor fan systems that can be vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

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

A cozy dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Karamu

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation is up to current quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and also makes much easier to the home to keep the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor 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

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Karamu Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the inside; you have to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to remove rainwater, storm water, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor 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 to the Healthy Homes Standards in Karamu include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Karamu for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to be able to examine during a home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental properties house evaluation.