HomeFit is a new project that has recently been launched by the New Zealand Green Building Council (NZGBC) as part of an initiative to improve home quality in New Zealand. 

The NZGBC reports that around 50 per cent of homes in New Zealand have visible mould and half of adults say that they live in a cold house. Over 60 per cent of New Zealanders say that their home is in need of repairs.

HomeFit aims to combat this issue in two ways: Firstly, the tool allows any one in New Zealand to complete a free, online check of the health of a home that they live in or are looking to rent or buy. The online assessment includes around 20 questions and will produce a report on what is up to standard and what isn’t in each home.

Secondly, trained HomeFit assessors will complete independent appraisals of homes to determine if they are warm, dry, safe and efficient. Homes that pass the assessment will be given a HomeFit stamp, allowing Kiwis to easily identify healthy living spaces.

“Any home awarded with a HomeFit stamp will also have passed the requirements of recent government legislation to improve homes, the Residential Tenancies Act. And, once the Healthy Homes Standards are confirmed, the HomeFit stamp can be used to confirm if a home passes this mandatory level too,” the NZGBC explains.

The organisation is urging the building industry to adopt the use of HomeFit, saying such participation is “essential in driving adoption and improving the quality of housing stock”. 

Chief executive of the NZGBC, Andrew Eagles, says, “The trade industry should familiarise itself with HomeFit to help educate people on the importance of living in healthy homes.”

Eagles explains that the Council developed this new tool because the public often doesn’t know what to look for when determining if their home is up to standard. “HomeFit is going to make Kiwis more aware of what to look for, and they will be seeking advice from the experts,” he says.

It is a “really special moment”, according to Eagles, to see those involved in the maintenance and operation of homes, and those who supply building materials, get on board with the use of HomeFit; he believes that it will advance the overall quality of houses in New Zealand.

“Industry experts are starting to utilise the HomeFit tool to talk to clients, customers, home buyers and sellers about improving their homes and getting the HomeFit stamp.”

The HomeFit tool has been developed over 18 months and a wide range of housing and health experts were consulted in its creation. 

Find out more at homefit.org.nz.