Healthy Homes Assessment Churton Park

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure that their Churton Park rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to 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 can assess your rental property to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks that requirements to be done, and provide the report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties 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

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Churton Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be done within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days of being informed of the request, they may be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It is updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It is also crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are handed down for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in significant fines and still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and request a house assessment performed on your rental property.

See the full details for details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Churton Park, and research indicates that rental houses tend to be colder, older and have less effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than the houses of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who reported four or more major home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Churton Park rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and daily life because of illness. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs over 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 stopping for Churton Park rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Churton Park

Draughts may lead to less temperature in houses. A draughty house costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a hole or gap, then it’s likely to be a gap or crack that needs sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out of your home require to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped as far as imaginable.

There is no need to block off holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement of the structure as the house is heated and cools to allow them to be opened and closed rather than securing. We will test all windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for well-being houses

Heating Churton Park

Rental properties in Churton Park should have a permanent source of heat which can warm the largest or main living space to at least 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the existing fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top-up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it requirements to be equipped with a thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a central heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might just need an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the quality because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Churton Park

Each living space within a rental property must contain at minimum one open door or window to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is about recognising how the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable and therefore don’t require an opening window or door.

Each window, door or the skylight requirements to be able to open to the outside while remaining closed to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your home that has shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will require appropriate extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Churton Park

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory for all rent homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation is in line with this new standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and also makes an easier task to the house to hold heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values required for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

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

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Churton Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go and to prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is often those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a location to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into 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 the floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from rising into the building. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Churton Park

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to The Healthy Homes Standards in Churton Park include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Churton Park for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to look over when conducting a house review to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property house assessment.