Healthy Homes Assessment Korokoro

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords must make sure that their Korokoro rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work that needs to be completed and provide a report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, as well as completely qualified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6791

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Korokoro rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be taken care of within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Korokoro rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an 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 the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty up to $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s crucial to note that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given only for serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with massive fines as well as still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct a home assessment done for your rental property.

See the full details for details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households from New Zealand and Korokoro, and research has shown that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who experience at least four key home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Korokoro rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and living due to diseases. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards 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 now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Korokoro

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside homes. A cold house costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a crack or a gap that is, it is probably a gap or crack that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out of your home need sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

You don’t need to block off gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for the movement of the building when the home is heated and cools in order to let them be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will test every window and door as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for well-being houses

Heating Korokoro

Korokoro rental properties must have a fixed source of heating which can warm the largest or main living space to at least 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested 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 minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must include the thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like a heat pump, then it may require an upgrade to make sure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Korokoro

Every living space in the rental property should have at least one openable door or window to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about recognising that dry air is much easier to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore do not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or Skylight needs to have the ability open to the outside, and stay set in an opening position, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your home that has shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need suitable extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A cozy dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Korokoro

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory to all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure the insulation meets current standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might need to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and will also make more easy to the household to hold warmth.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values required for your area

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

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

Korokoro Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s typically those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue that can cause damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to have efficient drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s 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 accumulating into the building. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Korokoro

Property rental areas that are affected to the Healthy Homes Standard in Korokoro include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Korokoro for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things you should look for during an house assessment to see if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property home assessment.