Healthy Homes Assessment Churton Park

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must make sure their Churton Park rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

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

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

We can assess the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work required. requirements to be done, and offer a report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes related fines.

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

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Churton Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be done within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Churton Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as being the person leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It is important to keep in mind that a landlord who have several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved only for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have an home evaluation performed for your rental property.

Check out the complete details 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 the property in New Zealand and Churton Park, and research suggests that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who experience four or more major housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Churton Park rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and living due to health issues. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Control on Churton Park rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Churton Park

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in homes. A cold house is more expensive to heat, which completed jobs in wasting money and energy.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap that is, it is most likely a gap or crack that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into your house need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped as far as imaginable.

You don’t require to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for the movement of the building when the home heats and cools, to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will test every window and door during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Churton Park

Rental properties in Churton Park must have a fixed heating source that is able to heat the living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in those following 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 will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a central heating source such as heat pumps, it may need a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Churton Park

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about understanding the fact that dried air can be more easy to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and don’t need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements to be able to open up to the outside, and stay set in an opening position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your property with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will require adequate extractor fans that are vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

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

A warm dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Churton Park

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement on all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation is up to current standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and will also make much easier to the house to keep the heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder area 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 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Churton Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside but you must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move and prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is typically not apparent that it could be a huge problem, causing damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Churton Park

The areas of rental property that are affected through Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Churton Park include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Churton Park for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to look over when conducting the house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice get in touch today and book your rental properties home assessment.