Healthy Homes Assessment Korokoro

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware 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 new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work needed to be completed. requirements to be completed and provide the report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental property, we are 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 new or renewed contract is signed on a Korokoro rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be completed within 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they may be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out, so it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It is important to note that landlords with multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are handed down for severe violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct a house evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households in New Zealand and Korokoro, and research shows us that these rental homes tend to be colder, older and are not as effective heating and tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who experience at least four major home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Improving the quality of Korokoro rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and living due to diseases. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long run.

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 within Korokoro rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Korokoro

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within houses. A damp home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap or crack, then it’s most likely a gap or hole that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out into your house require sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated whenever possible.

There is no need to block holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement within the building as the house heats and cools, to allow them to be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will examine all windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for well-being houses

Heating Korokoro

Rental properties in Korokoro should have a permanent source of heat that can heat the{ main or largest|| largest or main| principal or the biggest} living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the current permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it should be equipped with the thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a central heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might just require an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Korokoro

Each liveable space in a rental property has to have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about acknowledging it is that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and that a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable and therefore don’t require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements to have the ability to open to the outside, and stay at an open angle in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your house that houses shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture generating item will require adequate extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

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

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Korokoro

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement for all rent houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation meets the new standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might need to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and also makes much easier to allow the home to retain the heat.

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 withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Korokoro Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is frequently what you don’t see that could become a major issue, causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the home. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Check out the complete details of this 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 by Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Korokoro include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Korokoro for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to be able to examine in an home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental property home evaluation.