Healthy Homes Assessment Karamu

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure 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 must be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work that needs to be completed, and offer an assessment report that includes all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes relevant fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors for rental properties, as well as completely qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Karamu rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property which could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is completed, and is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s crucial to remember that a landlord who have several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and request an house evaluation performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households rent homes in New Zealand and Karamu, and research shows us that these rental houses tend to be colder, older and are not as 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, particularly ailments like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Furthermore, people who reported at least four key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

The improvement in the quality of Karamu rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to illness. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping within Karamu rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Karamu

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within households. A damp home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a crack or a gap or crack, then it is probably a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out within the home require sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as possible.

There is no require to block off holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for the movement of the structure when the home heats and cools, so that they can still be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Karamu

Rental properties in Karamu should have a permanent source of heating that is able to heat the main or largest living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The heating source needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), then it must be equipped with an thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source, such as the heat pump, it may require some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality as they are either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Check out the complete details for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Karamu

Every living space of a rental house must contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

A ventilation quality is about recognising it is that dried air can be much easier 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 spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t liveable , and thus don’t require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or skylight requirements to be able to open to the outside, but remain at an open angle, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your house that houses shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will need suitable extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Karamu

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement for all rent homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation is in line with current quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and will also make it easier to the household to keep warmth.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, 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 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Karamu Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the inside it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water and also stop it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is frequently the concerns you don’t notice that could be a huge problem and end up causing damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to be equipped with efficient drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure 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 a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps prevent 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

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to the Healthy Homes Standard in Karamu include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Karamu for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to check in the house assessment to see if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an ruling on tenancy services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional advice get in touch today to book your rental property house evaluation.