Healthy Homes Assessment Churton Park

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure their Churton Park rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work which requirements to be done, and provide a report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, we are fully qualified for 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, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Churton Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be taken care of within 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they may receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate when the tenancy contract is completed, and must be updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It’s crucial to be aware that a landlord with multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for severe breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct a house evaluation performed on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households in New Zealand and Churton Park, and research shows us that these rental houses tend to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and have lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who report four or more major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the standard of Churton Park rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and living because of health issues. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught-stopping for Churton Park rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Churton Park

Draughts can lead to less temperature in houses. A damp house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap, then it’s likely a crack or hole which requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out into your house require to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as imaginable.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for the movement of the structure when the house warms and cools so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will test all doors and windows as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Churton Park

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

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the existing fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat source, then it must have the thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, like an air conditioner, it might need a top up to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the quality because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details regarding 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 airflow. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

This ventilation standard is all about understanding it is that dry air will be much easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable and therefore are not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or skylight needs for them to be in a position to open up to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will need proper extractor fan systems that vent out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Churton Park

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory on all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure the insulation meets this new quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and will also make an easier task to the household to keep the heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Churton Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is often what you don’t see that could be a huge problem that can cause the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from getting into the building. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Churton Park

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

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Churton Park for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to be able to examine when conducting an house assessment to see if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the Tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice, call today to book your rental property home assessment.