Healthy Homes Assessment Korokoro

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have to make sure their Korokoro rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

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

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

We can evaluate your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work which needs to be done and provide the report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes connected fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, we are completely qualified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Korokoro rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be done within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on the Korokoro rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the property manager is unable to provide the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they could be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out, so it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who have several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and ask us to conduct a home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Korokoro, and research shows us that these rental houses tend to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are associated with negative health results, specifically for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who report four or more key home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Improve the standard of Korokoro rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of health issues. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less maintenance costs in the long-term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Korokoro

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in homes. A cold house costs more to heat, which results in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the air is clear from a crack or a gap that is, it is probably a gap or hole which requirements sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit of your home need to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as imaginable.

There is no need to block off holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement within the structure when the household is heated and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will check the windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is important for well-being homes

Heating Korokoro

Korokoro rental properties should have a permanent source of heating that can warm the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must include the thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, such as the heat pump, it might just require a top up to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Korokoro

Every living space of a rental house must contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about acknowledging how the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore don’t need an opening door or window.

Every window, door or the skylight needs for them to be in a position open to the outside, but remain closed to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require adequate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Korokoro

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required to all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation is up to this new quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and will also make more easy to the house to retain heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

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

Korokoro Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s frequently not apparent that it can become a big problem and cause the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to remove storm water, surface water, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the property. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor 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 Korokoro

Rental property areas affected with Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Korokoro include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Korokoro for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to be able to examine when conducting the house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenant solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental properties home assessment.