Healthy Homes Assessment Churton Park

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure their Churton Park rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work which needs to be completed and offer a report with all the information needed to complete 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 following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental property, and are completely certified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Churton Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in a 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 property they reside in. If the property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they may be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s also important to keep in mind that landlords who have several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are given for the most serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and request a home assessment done for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Churton Park, and research suggests that rental houses tend to be colder, older, have less effective heating and tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more key house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Improve the standard of Churton Park rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and living because of diseases. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control on Churton Park rental properties.

Start now and call about getting a Churton Park Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Churton Park

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in homes. A humid home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or a clear draught out of a hole or gap and you can feel it, it’s probably a gap or crack that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out within your house need seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t require to block up intentional gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow movement of the building when the household heats and cools, in order to let them be opened and closed rather than securing. We will test all windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Churton Park

Churton Park rental properties must have a fixed heating source which can warm the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The heating source needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat source, then it must have the thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and efficient. In most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a central heating source, like the heat pump, it might just need some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the standard because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Churton Park

Every living space of a rental home must include at least one open door or window to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about understanding that dry air will be easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t living spaces and therefore are not need an opening door or window.

Every window, door or Skylight needs to be able open to the outside, and stay closed in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will need proper extractor fan systems that can be vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Churton Park

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory on all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and also makes more easy to allow the home to retain the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 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 this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Churton Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building but you must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go and prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s typically not apparent that it could be a huge problem, causing damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the building. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Find out all the details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Churton Park

Rental property areas affected through The Healthy Homes Standards in Churton Park include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Churton Park for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to check when conducting an home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For specialist guidance, contact us today and book your rental property home evaluation.