OUR EXPERTISE

HEALTHY HOME INSPECTIONS

safe, healthy and compliant.

We identify areas of your home that fail the Healthy Homes Standard.

getting your homefit certification

We visit your home to evaluate its warmth, dryness, and overall health. If it meets the required standards, you’ll receive a HomeFit stamp – assurance that your home is fit for your family.

A HomeFit rating assures buyers and renters that a home meets standards for ventilation, insulation, heating, and energy efficiency. It also reassures landlords that they are complying with their responsibilities.

The Assessment

The assessment typically takes 1 to 1.5 hours and costs between $100 and $300, depending on your location and the size of your home. This fee covers the assessor’s time and an administrative charge. You can expect to receive your report and certificate within a few days of the assessment. If you need the report sooner for a home sale or purchase, speak with your assessor—they may be able to expedite the process.

What if my home doesn’t meet the HomeFit Standards?

If you make improvements to meet the standard within 6 months, you can have the home re-assessed.

How long does the HomeFit Certificate last?

A HomeFit certificate is valid for three years from the date of certification – this will be on your certificate. If you make any significant alternations to your house in this time, you’ll need to have it re-assessed.

HomeFit PLUS

HomeFit has a higher standard called HomeFit PLUS. This requires homes to have:

more insulation (including wall insulation)
more energy efficient lights
energy efficient heating
energy efficient hot water

Having a HomeFit PLUS stamp for your home will differentiate it from the rest of the market. Your HomeFit assessor will be able to tell you if it meets the standard.

Healthy home Standards vs HomeFit standards & HomeFit Plus

Summary of Overlaps

Health and Wellbeing: All three initiatives prioritize the health and comfort of occupants.
Warmth, Ventilation, and Moisture Control: These key factors are emphasized across all frameworks.
Market Enhancement: Compliance or certification can enhance the attractiveness of properties to tenants and buyers

HomeFit Plus builds on the foundations of HomeFit, encouraging higher standards and sustainability while working within the existing framework of Healthy Homes Standards to further improve housing quality in New Zealand.

Check how easily a home can be kept warm, dry and safe

Healthy home assessments

One of our skilled and experienced assessors will carry out the health home inspection and address any questions you may have about the standards. Afterward, we will compile a detailed report outlining the property’s compliance status and send it to you.

Why you need a healthy home assessment?

A Healthy Home Assessment in New Zealand is essential for ensuring that rental properties comply with the country’s Healthy Homes Standards. These standards are designed to improve the quality of housing and promote better health outcomes for tenants.

Here’s why a healthy home inspection might be needed:

Compliance with Healthy Homes Standards

The Healthy Homes Standards, introduced under the Residential Tenancies Act, set minimum requirements for:

Heating: Ensuring living rooms have fixed heaters that can warm the space to at least 18°C.
Insulation: Adequate ceiling and underfloor insulation to prevent heat loss.
Ventilation: Extractor fans in kitchens and bathrooms to reduce moisture.
Moisture and Drainage: Efficient drainage systems and protections against dampness.
Draught Stopping: Sealing gaps and unnecessary draughts.

Landlords must ensure their properties meet these standards.

Legal Obligations for Landlords

From July 1, 2021, all private rental properties must comply with the Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new tenancy. Failing to comply can result in fines and legal action. A healthy home assessment provides documented evidence of compliance.

Protecting Tenant Health

Poor housing conditions, such as dampness, inadequate heating, and lack of ventilation, can lead to respiratory illnesses, mold growth, and general poor health. A healthy home ensures tenants live in a safer, healthier environment.

Energy Efficiency

A warm, dry home uses less energy for heating, reducing power bills for tenants and contributing to environmental sustainability.

Property Value and Maintenance

Meeting healthy home standards can enhance the property’s marketability and value while reducing maintenance issues caused by mold, rot, or dampness.

Peace of Mind

A certified healthy home assessment assures landlords and tenants that the property meets legal and health requirements, minimizing disputes and enhancing tenant satisfaction.

What is the Healthy Homes Act NZ?

The Healthy Homes Act NZ refers to the Healthy Homes Standards, introduced under the Residential Tenancies Act, which set minimum requirements for heating, insulation, ventilation, moisture control, and draught stopping in rental properties. These standards aim to ensure rental homes are warm, dry, and healthy for tenants, with compliance deadlines for landlords depending on tenancy agreements.