Healthy Homes Assessment Korokoro

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords must make sure that their Korokoro rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely conforming by the 1st July 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 meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work required. requirements to be completed, and provide the report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, we are fully qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Korokoro rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be taken care of within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new or renewed lease is entered into on the Korokoro rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it is finished.

It is important to keep in mind that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are handed down for severe breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have an home assessment performed on your rental property.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Korokoro, and research suggests that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes can have negative health outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who have reported at least four key house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Improve the standard of Korokoro rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and living due to illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which results in lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control within 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 are a major cause of lower temperatures in households. A humid home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a gap or hole that is, it’s likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out within your home require the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched whenever imaginable.

You don’t need to block off gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement of the structure when the home is heated and cools so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will test every window and door as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Korokoro

Korokoro rental properties must have a fixed source of heat that can heat 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 suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat source, then it must include an thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. In most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a central heating source, like heat pumps, it could require an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Korokoro

Each liveable space in the rental property should contain at minimum one open door or window to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about acknowledging how dry air is less difficult to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or skylight needs for them to be in a position open to the outside, but remain closed, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your property with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will need appropriate extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is a healthy home

Insulation Korokoro

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required on all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure the insulation meets the new quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and it will make it easier for the household to retain 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 resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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, underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

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 and ground water to go and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically those things that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to remove rainwater, storm water and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from rising into the property. It also helps in preventing any damage to your 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

The areas of rental property that are affected with the Healthy Homes Standards in Korokoro include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Korokoro for Rental Properties

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

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an Tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice get in touch today to book your rental property house evaluation.