Healthy Homes Assessment Crofton Downs

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Crofton Downs rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

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

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes associated fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental property, and are fully certified for 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, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Crofton Downs rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be completed inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Crofton Downs rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property which could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is executed, and it must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that a landlord with multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down only for serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with significant fines and having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and arrange to have an home inspection performed on your rental property.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households rent from New Zealand and Crofton Downs, and research shows us that these rental homes are likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating and are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who have reported four or more major issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Improve the quality of Crofton Downs rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of illness. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping for Crofton Downs rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about having a Crofton Downs Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Crofton Downs

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within houses. A cold house costs more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap and you can feel it, it’s probably a gap or hole which needs sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out into the house need the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched whenever imaginable.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow movement of the structure as the home heats and cools, so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will examine the windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Crofton Downs

Crofton Downs rental properties require a reliable source of heating that can heat the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump then it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartments an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source like heat pumps, it might require an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the quality as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Crofton Downs

Every living space in a rental property has to have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

This ventilation quality is about recognising how the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t liveable , and thus are not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or the skylight needs for them to be in a position to open up to the outside, and stay set in an opening position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will need adequate extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Crofton Downs

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required for all rent homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, as well as making much easier to allow the household to keep the heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

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

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

Crofton Downs Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is typically what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Crofton Downs

Rental property areas affected by the Healthy Homes Standards in Crofton Downs include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Crofton Downs for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to check during a home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• 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 on the wrong side of a tenant services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice, call now and schedule your rental property house evaluation.