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? Landlords must make sure 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 are required to be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks that requirements to be completed and provide an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes related fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties as well as completely certified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

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

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they will receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the lease contract as the person letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it must be updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It’s also crucial to remember that a landlord who own several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and ask us to conduct a house evaluation performed on your rental property.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Korokoro, and research indicates that rental homes are most likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who experience four or more major issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Korokoro rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping on Korokoro rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Korokoro

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in houses. A cold home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the air is clear from a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it is most likely a gap or crack that requirements sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out within the house require seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as much as imaginable.

You don’t require to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for the movement of the building as the house warms and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will check every window and door as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Korokoro

Rental properties in Korokoro require a reliable heating source that is able to heat the largest or main living room to at least 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. 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 heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it needs to include a thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source like the heat pump, it could require some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Korokoro

Each liveable space in a rental house must have at least one openable doors or windows to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about understanding that dry air is less difficult 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 all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not living spaces and therefore don’t need an opening door or window.

Each door, window or the skylight needs to have the ability to open up to the outside and remain set in an opening position to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your house that houses shower, bath cooker or any other humidity-generating items will require suitable extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

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

A cozy dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Korokoro

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure the insulation meets this new standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and also makes it easier for the household to hold heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

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

Korokoro Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the inside; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow, and prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is often those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem, causing damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a place to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from getting into the structure. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Korokoro

Property rental areas that are affected by Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Korokoro include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Korokoro for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to check during an home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today and book your rental property house evaluation.