Healthy Homes Assessment Korokoro

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure their Korokoro rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas that are covered by 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 standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work which requirements to be completed and offer an evaluation report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach 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 healthy homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, we are fully qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on a Korokoro rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be taken care of within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as being the person renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it must be updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It is crucial to note that a landlord who have multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for severe violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in large fines in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and ask us to conduct a home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households from New Zealand and Korokoro, and research indicates that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who have reported at least four major house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Improving the quality of Korokoro rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and living due to illnesses. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

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

Begin now by calling about receiving a Korokoro Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Korokoro

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within houses. A draughty house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap or crack, then it’s likely a crack or hole that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out within the house require seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t need to block off holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement of the structure when the household is heated and cools to allow them to be opened and closed rather than securing. We will test the windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for well-being houses

Heating Korokoro

Korokoro rental properties must have a fixed heating source that is able to heat the main or largest living space to at least 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the current installed 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 safe heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it should have the thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source, like heat pumps, it could need an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Korokoro

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

The ventilation standard is about recognising how dry air will be more easy to heat and the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable and do not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or Skylight needs at least of opening to the outside, but remain at an open angle to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your property with a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will require suitable extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Korokoro

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory on all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation meets the new standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and also makes more easy to allow the house to retain heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor 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 this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Korokoro Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow and prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s often the concerns you don’t notice that could become a major issue and cause damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to be equipped with effective drainage to remove rainwater, storm water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a place to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor 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 Korokoro

The areas of rental property that are affected with Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Korokoro include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Korokoro for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns you should look for during an home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental properties home assessment.