Healthy Homes Assessment Korokoro

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to ensure their Korokoro rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely 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 will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks that requirements to be done and offer an evaluation report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes related fines.

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

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Korokoro rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be done by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property It could also be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It is crucial to keep in mind that landlords who have several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are given for severe breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and request a house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households rent the property in New Zealand and Korokoro, and research has shown that these rental homes tend to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who have reported at least four key issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Improve the standard of Korokoro rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and living because of diseases. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control for Korokoro rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Korokoro Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Korokoro

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in houses. A cold home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap that is, it is probably a gap or hole which needs sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out of your home need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

You don’t need to block off gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement within the building when the home warms and cools to allow them to be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will examine all doors and windows during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is important for healthy houses

Heating Korokoro

Korokoro rental properties should have a permanent heating source that is able to heat the living space to at least 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it needs to include a thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source such as the heat pump, it might just require a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard because they’re costly, not affordable to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Korokoro

Each living space within a rental property has to contain at minimum one open door or window to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

This ventilation standard is about recognising the fact that dry air is much easier to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable and are not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door or Skylight requirements to be able to open up to the outside and remain at an open angle in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your house that houses a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture generating item will need adequate extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

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

A warm dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Korokoro

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory for all rent homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation is up to current standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, as well as making an easier task to allow the household to retain warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values required for your area

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and 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 it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is usually the things you don’t notice that could become a major issue and cause damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Korokoro

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to 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 variety of things you should look for in the home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For expert advice get in touch today and book your rental property house evaluation.