Healthy Homes Assessment Korokoro

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure that their Korokoro rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas 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 about the work that needs to be done and offer a report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties as well as fully certified for each of 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 brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Korokoro rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be finished by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Korokoro rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it must be updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It’s important to be aware that a landlord with several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and arrange to have a house assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

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

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Improving the standard of Korokoro rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of illness. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

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

Get started now and contact us about the Korokoro Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Korokoro

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in households. A cold house costs more to heat, which results in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and 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 crack that needs sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out within your home need sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched as much as imaginable.

You don’t need to block off gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement of the building when the household heats and cools, to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will test every window and door as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Korokoro

Rental properties in Korokoro must have a fixed source of heating that can warm the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the existing fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat source, it should be equipped with the thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. For most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source like a heat pump, then it may require an update to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the quality since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Korokoro

Every living space of a rental property must include at least one open window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation quality is about recognising the fact that dry air will be less difficult to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable and are not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or skylight requirements for them to be in a position of opening to the outside, and stay closed in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your property with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will need adequate extractor fans that vent to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Korokoro

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement for all rent houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, as well as making an easier task to allow the household to hold the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation withstands 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 – all of the 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

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

Korokoro Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about the inside but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water, and stop it from coming inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s usually what you don’t see that could become a major issue and cause damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from getting into the home. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Learn more about The 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 to Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Korokoro include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Korokoro for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to check in the home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a tenant services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For expert advice, call now and schedule your rental property home evaluation.