Healthy Homes Assessment Korokoro

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have to make sure their Korokoro rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must be fully 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 your rental property to check whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work which requirements to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, and are fully qualified to assess 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, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Korokoro rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be done by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure 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 incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they could receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It is important to remember that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and make arrangements to have an house evaluation performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households the property in New Zealand and Korokoro, and research has shown that these rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than the houses of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who report four or more key issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Improve the quality of Korokoro rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Stopping within Korokoro rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Korokoro

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within households. A damp home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap or crack, then it is most likely a gap or hole which needs sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out within the home require sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent possible.

There is no need to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the building as the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will check all doors and windows in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Korokoro

Rental properties in Korokoro need to have a stable source of heat which can warm the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. 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 heating source needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether your current permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it needs to include an thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might just need a top up to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Korokoro

Each living space within a rental property has to contain at minimum one open door or window to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

The ventilation quality is about recognising how dry air will be more easy to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable and do not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door or skylight needs at least to open to the outside and remain fixed in an open position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your home that has shower, bath cooker or any other moisture generating item will need appropriate extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is a healthy house

Insulation Korokoro

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement for all rent homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation meets the new standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and also makes much easier for the home to keep heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 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

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

Korokoro Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the inside but you must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow, and prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is frequently those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue that can cause damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

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 rising into the property. It also helps in preventing any damage to your 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

Property rental areas that are affected to The Healthy Homes Standards in Korokoro include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Korokoro for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to be able to examine when conducting the house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a Tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today and book your rental property home assessment.