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 are now required to ensure that their Korokoro rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully 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 your rental property and determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks which requirements to be done, and offer a report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re completely certified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Korokoro rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be completed within 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It is also important to note that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have an home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households rent in New Zealand and Korokoro, and research suggests that rental houses are likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who have reported four or more major housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Improving the standard of Korokoro rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of health issues. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught stopping in Korokoro rental properties.

Start now and call about receiving a Korokoro Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Korokoro

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A damp home costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or a clear draught from a hole or gap that is, it is probably a gap or crack that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out from the home need sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as possible.

You don’t need to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement within the building when the household warms and cools to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will test the windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Korokoro

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

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the current fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat source, it should be equipped with an thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as a heat pump, then it might require a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

Check out the complete details to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Korokoro

Each living space within a rental property must have at least one opening door or window to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about recognising that dry air will be less difficult to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t living spaces and therefore do not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door or Skylight requirements to be able of opening to the outside, and stay set in an opening position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your house that houses a bath, shower cooker or any other humidity-generating items will require adequate extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space, including suitable 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

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory for all rent homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation is up to this new quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, as well as making it easier to the home to hold the heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest area 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

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Korokoro Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go and prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is frequently the concerns you don’t notice that can become a big problem, causing damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between your flooring and the ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Korokoro

Property rental areas that are affected to The Healthy Homes Standards in Korokoro include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Korokoro for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to check in a home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert advice, call today to book your rental properties house evaluation.