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 are now required to make sure their Korokoro rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must 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 can assess your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks which needs to be done, and provide the report with all the information 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 landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties as well as fully qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6791

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Korokoro rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be completed within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be maintained through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It’s important to remember that landlords with multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for severe breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in large fines in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property call 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 matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households homes in New Zealand and Korokoro, and research has shown that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. In addition, people who have reported four or more key home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Enhancing the quality of Korokoro rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of diseases. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance over 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 as Draught stopping in Korokoro rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Korokoro

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within houses. A damp house costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a crack or a gap, then it is likely to be a gap or crack that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within your home need sealing. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as imaginable.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the household heats and cools, to allow them to be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will test every window and door as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Korokoro

Korokoro rental properties require a reliable heating source that can heat the largest or main living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the existing installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump, then it must have an thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source such as a heat pump, then it might just need some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the quality since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Korokoro

Every living space of a rental property must include at least one open door or window to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation quality is about recognising the fact that dry air is less difficult to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or skylight requirements to have the ability to open up to the outside while remaining at an open angle to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your home with a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture-producing item will need proper extractor fan systems which are vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Learn more about 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 in all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and it will make an easier task to the home to retain warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Korokoro Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s typically what you don’t see that could become a major issue and end up causing damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to remove rainwater, storm water, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from getting into the property. 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

Rental property areas affected through Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Korokoro include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Korokoro for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things you should look for in a home review to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice, call today and book your rental property home evaluation.