Healthy Homes Assessment Churton Park

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to ensure that their Churton Park rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

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

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks required. requirements to be completed and offer an evaluation report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes connected fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, and are fully certified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Churton Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be completed by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on the Churton Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It is also important to remember that a landlord who own several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in large fines in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and request an home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Churton Park, and research has shown that these rental homes are most likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating and have lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who have reported at least four major home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Improving the standard of Churton Park rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and living because of diseases. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less maintenance costs in the long run.

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

Get started now and contact us about the Churton Park Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Churton Park

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within houses. A humid home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the air is clear from a crack or a gap that is, it’s likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of the home require to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated whenever possible.

There is no require to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for the movement of the building as the household is heated and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will examine all windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Churton Park

Churton Park rental properties should have a permanent source of heating which can warm the living space to a minimum of 18degC 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 source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the current permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top-up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat source, it should be equipped with an thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a central heating source, like the heat pump, it may need an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Churton Park

Every living space in the rental property should include at least one open doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about acknowledging that dry air will be more easy to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable , and thus do not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open up to the outside and remain fixed in an open position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your property with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will require appropriate extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Find out all the details about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Churton Park

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement on all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation meets the new standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, as well as making it easier for the house to keep heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

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

Churton Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water and prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s typically not apparent that it can become a big problem, causing damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to be equipped with efficient drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between your flooring and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from entering the structure. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Churton Park

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through the Healthy Homes Standard in Churton Park include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Churton Park for Rental Properties

There are many things to check in an house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenant solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today to book your rental property house evaluation.