Healthy Homes Assessment Korokoro

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? The landlords are now required to ensure their Korokoro 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 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 evaluate your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks required. needs to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, as well as fully certified 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, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Korokoro rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Korokoro 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 inside of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate when the tenancy contract is signed. It must be updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It’s crucial to be aware that landlords with multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are reserved for serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have a home assessment done for your rental property.

Check out the complete details of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Korokoro, and research indicates that rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more key house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Korokoro rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and living due to health issues. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which results in lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping for Korokoro rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss the Korokoro Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Korokoro

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A cold home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the air is clear from a gap or hole, then it is most likely a gap or hole which requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into the home require the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be sealed off. 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 up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement within the structure as the home heats and cools, so that they can still be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will test every window and door as part of our 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 well-being houses

Heating Korokoro

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

The heating source needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top-up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump, then it must include a thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source like a heat pump, then it could require a top up to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Korokoro

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one openable doors or windows to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about acknowledging the fact that dried air can be much easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not living spaces and therefore are not need an opening door or window.

Every window, door or Skylight requirements to have the ability of opening to the outside and remain fixed in an open position to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your property with shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need adequate extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

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

A cozy dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Korokoro

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory to all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation meets this new standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and will also make much easier to the household to retain heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

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

Korokoro Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically the things you don’t notice that could become a major issue that can cause damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Korokoro

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Korokoro include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Korokoro for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to look over when conducting the home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today and book your rental property house evaluation.