Healthy Homes Assessment Korokoro

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 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 must be fully compliant 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 check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks required. needs to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties and are completely qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Korokoro rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out and it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It is also important to note that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and make arrangements to have an house evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households rent in New Zealand and Korokoro, and research indicates that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who reported at least four major housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Korokoro rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and living because of diseases. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping for Korokoro rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about having a Korokoro Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Korokoro

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within homes. A damp home is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting money and energy.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap, then it’s probably a gap or hole that requirements sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from the house need sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no require to block up intentional holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement of the structure as the house is heated and cools so that they can still be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Korokoro

Rental properties in Korokoro should have a permanent source of heat that is able to heat the living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it must include an thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source, like an air conditioner, it may need a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the quality because they’re costly, not affordable to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Korokoro

Each liveable space in a rental house must include at least one open door or window to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about understanding the fact that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable and therefore don’t need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or Skylight needs at least to open up to the outside, and stay at an open angle in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your home that has a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will need suitable extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is a healthy home

Insulation Korokoro

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory to all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and it will make an easier task to the house to retain the heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 underfloor 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

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

Korokoro Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow and prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is often the things you don’t notice that could become a major issue and end up causing the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water is able to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between your flooring and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Korokoro

Rental property areas affected with the Healthy Homes Standard in Korokoro include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Korokoro for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to look over when conducting the home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional advice get in touch today and book your rental property house assessment.