Healthy Homes Assessment Churton Park

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that 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 must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be done 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 in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is 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

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Churton Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be finished within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Churton Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they could receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is important to keep in mind that a landlord who own multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for the most serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct an house inspection performed on your rental property.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households rent in New Zealand and Churton Park, and research suggests that rental houses tend to be older, colder, have less efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Additionally, those who experience at least four key issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Improve the quality of Churton Park rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping within 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 increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside homes. A cold house costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or a clear draught from a hole or gap, then it’s most likely a gap or an opening that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit within your home need to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched whenever possible.

You don’t require to block holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement within the building as the house warms and cools so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will test every window and door as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Churton Park

Churton Park rental properties must have a fixed source of heating that can heat the main or largest living area to at minimum 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 health as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the current fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to top up with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump it should be equipped with an thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a central heating source like the heat pump, it might just require some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Check out the complete details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Churton Park

Each liveable space in the rental property should have at least one opening doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about recognising that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and that a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or skylight needs to have the ability to open to the outside and remain fixed in an open position to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your home that has a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will require appropriate extractor fans which are vented 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 areas of high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Churton Park

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory to all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure the insulation meets current standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and it will make much easier for the home to hold warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of 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 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

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically the things you don’t notice that could be a huge problem and cause damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor 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

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

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Churton Park for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to check when conducting a home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient 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 a Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental property home assessment.