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 are now required to ensure that their Korokoro rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks that needs to be completed and provide the report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties as well as fully certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6791

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Korokoro rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be taken care of within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 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 by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It is updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is important to note that a landlord who own multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down only for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with huge fines, in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and request an house assessment performed for your rental property.

Check out the complete details of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Korokoro, and research shows us that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating and are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more key home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Korokoro rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to illness. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

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

Start now and call about getting a Korokoro Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Korokoro

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside households. A draughty house costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap that is, it is likely a crack or an opening that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out within the home require seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched as much as imaginable.

There is no require to cover up holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow movement of the structure as the home is heated and cools in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will examine all windows and doors in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for well-being houses

Heating Korokoro

Korokoro rental properties require a reliable source of heat that can heat the living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it must include the thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source, such as the heat pump, it could need some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Korokoro

Every living space of a rental house must have at least one opening doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation standard is all about understanding how the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus don’t require an opening window or door.

Each door, window or the skylight requirements to have the ability to open to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your home that has a bath, shower, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will require adequate extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is an ideal house

Insulation Korokoro

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory on all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation is in line with this new standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and also makes an easier task to the home to retain the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of the 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 below floor R 1.3

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

Korokoro Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the inside; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and stop it from coming inside. When it is about damp and water, it is often the concerns you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble and cause the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a location to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

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

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Korokoro

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Korokoro for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to be able to examine in a home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice get in touch now and schedule your rental property house evaluation.