Healthy Homes Assessment Korokoro

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure their Korokoro rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks which needs to be completed, and offer a report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, we are 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 brand new, renewed or varied contract 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, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Korokoro rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

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

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it must be updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It’s crucial to be aware that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and ask us to conduct an home assessment done for your rental property.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households rent in New Zealand and Korokoro, and research shows us that these rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and are of lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who experience at least four key home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the quality of Korokoro rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and daily life due to health issues. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping in Korokoro rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Korokoro

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside homes. A cold home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught out of a hole or gap or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out of your house require the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated whenever imaginable.

You don’t need to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement within the structure as the home warms and cools so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will examine all doors and windows in the 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 well-being homes

Heating Korokoro

Korokoro rental properties need to have a stable source of heat that can warm the living space to at least 18degC 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 as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the existing installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it must be equipped with the thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source such as a heat pump, then it may require some additional energy to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the quality as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Korokoro

Each liveable space in a rental property has to include at least one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

The ventilation quality is about recognising it is that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t liveable and don’t require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or skylight needs to have the ability of opening to the outside, but remain at an open angle in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your house that houses shower, bath, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will require adequate extractor fans that vent towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is an ideal house

Insulation Korokoro

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required for all rent houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation is in line with this new quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and will also make an easier task to the home to hold heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

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

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Korokoro Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water, and prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s typically not apparent that it could become a major issue and end up causing damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Korokoro

Rental property areas affected through The Healthy Homes Standard in Korokoro include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Korokoro for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to look over when conducting a home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the Tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental properties house assessment.