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 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 completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

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

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

We will assess your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work that requirements to be completed, and offer an assessment report that includes all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes associated fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties we are fully certified to evaluate both 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, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Karamu rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be completed inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed lease is entered into on the Karamu rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease contract as the person letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct when the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It is important to be aware that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for severe violations. Those who have more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in large fines in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct a house evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Karamu, and research suggests that rental houses are likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who have reported four or more key housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Improving the standard of Karamu rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and living due to health issues. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

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 getting a Karamu Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Karamu

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in homes. A cold house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught out of a hole or gap or crack, then it’s likely a crack or crack that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out within the home require seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated whenever imaginable.

There is no require to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement of the building as the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will check the windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Karamu

Karamu rental properties must have a fixed heating source which can warm the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat source, it must be equipped with the thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source like heat pumps, it might just require an update to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Karamu

Every living space of a rental property must contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is about recognising that dried air can be easier to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered liveable and don’t need an opening door or window.

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

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will require adequate extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient 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 standard.

A warm dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Karamu

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required for all rent homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation is in line with the new quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might require to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and it will make much easier to allow the house to keep the heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all part 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Karamu Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s usually what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between floorboards and soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the structure. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring 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

Property rental areas that are affected by Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Karamu include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Karamu for Rental Properties

There are many things to be able to examine in an home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental property house evaluation.