Healthy Homes Assessment Crofton Downs

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that their Crofton Downs rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed 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 evaluate your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks that requirements to be completed and offer the report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, as well as 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, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Crofton Downs rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new or renewed lease is entered into on a Crofton Downs rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they can be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who provide a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be current when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s important to be aware that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with significant fines and still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and arrange to have a house assessment done for your rental property.

Find the full information on details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households homes in New Zealand and Crofton Downs, and research indicates that rental houses are likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than the houses of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative health results, specifically for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four major issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Crofton Downs rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and living due to illness. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping on Crofton Downs rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Crofton Downs Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Crofton Downs

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in households. A humid house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it’s likely to be a gap or hole which needs sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out of the home need the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as much as possible.

There is no require to block holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement of the structure as the home warms and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will check every window and door in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Crofton Downs

Crofton Downs rental properties should have a permanent source of heat which can warm the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

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

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must have an thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source like the heat pump, it may need some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Crofton Downs

Every living space in a rental property has to have at least one openable window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation quality is all about understanding it is that dry air is easier to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable and therefore are not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements to be able of opening to the outside, and stay closed to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your house that houses a bath, shower cooker or any other humidity-generating items will need proper extractor fan systems that can be vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Crofton Downs

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory for all rent homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation is up to the new standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and also makes an easier task for the home to hold warmth.

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

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

• 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 underfloor 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

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Crofton Downs Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s often those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Crofton Downs

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through The Healthy Homes Standards in Crofton Downs include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Crofton Downs for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to look over when conducting the home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today to schedule your rental properties home assessment.