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

The subjects covered in 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 if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks that needs to be completed, and provide an evaluation report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, we are fully qualified to assess 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 brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Karamu rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be taken care of within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they could receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as being the person who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate when the tenancy contract is signed. It should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is crucial to note that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are given only for serious breaches. Landlords with 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 comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and arrange to have a house assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households rent in New Zealand and Karamu, and research suggests that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who reported at least four key issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Improving the quality of Karamu rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and living because of illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping in Karamu rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Karamu

Draughts can lead to less temperature in houses. A cold home will cost more to heat, which results in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap, then it’s likely a crack or hole that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out from the house require the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

You don’t require to block off gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for the movement of the structure when the home is heated and cools so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will test all windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Karamu

Rental properties in Karamu must have a fixed heating source that can heat the living room to at least 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump then it must be equipped with an thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source, like heat pumps, it might just require an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Karamu

Every living space of a rental house must have at least one opening doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is about recognising how dry air is less difficult to heat and a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not living spaces and therefore do not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or Skylight needs to have the ability open to the outside, and stay closed, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your home that has shower, bath cooker or any other humidity-generating items will need appropriate extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Karamu

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required on all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation is up to this new quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and it will make more easy to the house to retain the heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Karamu Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move, and prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s typically those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem that can cause damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and the ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from rising into the property. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Find out all the details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Karamu

The areas of rental property that are affected by Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Karamu include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Karamu for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to check when conducting a home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenant solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today to schedule your rental properties house evaluation.