Healthy Homes Assessment Crofton Downs

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 Crofton Downs rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely 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 assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work which needs to be done and offer the report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes associated fines.

We’re completely 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

As of 1st July 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Crofton Downs rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be taken care of within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Crofton Downs rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live 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 notification and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It should be kept updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s important to keep in mind that landlords with several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved only for serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct an home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households rent homes in New Zealand and Crofton Downs, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who report at least four key issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

The improvement in the standard of Crofton Downs rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Control within Crofton Downs rental properties.

Start now and call about having a Crofton Downs Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Crofton Downs

Draughts can lead to less temperature in homes. A humid house costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a crack or a gap and you can feel it, it is probably a gap or hole that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into the house require seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as possible.

You don’t need to block off holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement of the building as the home heats and cools, so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will test all doors and windows during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is important for well-being homes

Heating Crofton Downs

Crofton Downs rental properties need to have a stable heating source that can heat the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the current permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it should include the thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. For most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source such as a heat pump, then it might need some additional energy to make sure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the quality since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Crofton Downs

Every living space of a rental property must have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

The ventilation standard is about recognising the fact that dry air will be less difficult to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered liveable and are not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or skylight needs to be able of opening to the outside, but remain set in an opening position in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems that are vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Crofton Downs

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required for all rent houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation is up to current quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and it will make much easier to allow the household to hold the heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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 the entire 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

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem and cause damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

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 getting into the home. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Crofton Downs

Rental property areas affected with 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 variety of things to be able to examine in a house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenant solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For professional advice, call today and book your rental properties house assessment.