Healthy Homes Assessment Karamu

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure their Karamu rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks which requirements to be done and offer an evaluation report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, and are fully qualified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Karamu rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be done by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days of being informed of the request, they may be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It’s also important to keep in mind that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and request an house evaluation performed on your rental property.

See the full details for this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Karamu, and research shows us that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than the homes of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative health outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who experience at least four key house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Improve the quality of Karamu rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of illness. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping on Karamu rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss getting a Karamu Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Karamu

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in homes. A cold house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap or crack, then it’s probably a gap or an opening that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out into your home need sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

You don’t need to block off holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow movement of the building as the house is heated and cools to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will inspect every window and door as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Karamu

Rental properties in Karamu need to have a stable source of heat that is able to heat the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it should be equipped with the thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a central heating source such as the heat pump, it might require a top up in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the quality as they are either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Karamu

Every living space in a rental home must have at least one opening door or window to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is about recognising it is that dry air is less difficult to heat and a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements to have the ability to open to the outside and remain set in an opening position to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your house that houses a bath, shower, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will need adequate extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Karamu

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory for all rent houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and will also make it easier for the household to keep heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of the 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 below floor R 1.3

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

Karamu Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the inside; you have to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is typically those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem, causing damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a place to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Karamu

Property rental areas that are affected through Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Karamu include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Karamu for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to look over in an house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the Tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today and book your rental properties house evaluation.