Healthy Homes Assessment Crofton Downs

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have 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 conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work required. needs to be done, and offer the report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes related fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re completely certified to evaluate each of 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, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Crofton Downs rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be done by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It should be maintained through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It is also crucial to be aware that landlords with multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe 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 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and request a house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Crofton Downs, and research has shown that these rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative health results, specifically for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who report at least four key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

The improvement in the standard of Crofton Downs rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and daily life due to health issues. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping within Crofton Downs rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Crofton Downs

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap and you are able to feel it, it’s likely a crack or crack that needs sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out into the home need sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped as far as imaginable.

There is no need to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for the movement of the building when the home warms and cools to allow them to be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will test all windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Crofton Downs

Rental properties in Crofton Downs need to have a stable source of heat that is able to heat the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top-up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump then it must include an thermostat. This will 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 will be required. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a central heating source, such as heat pumps, it could require some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Crofton Downs

Every living space in the rental property should have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about acknowledging the fact that dry air will be more easy to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or the skylight requirements to be able of opening to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your property with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will require suitable extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Crofton Downs

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement to all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure the insulation meets current quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, as well as making much easier to the household to retain the heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

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

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

Crofton Downs Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building but you must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s frequently the concerns you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to remove rainwater, storm water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a location 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 an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the building. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete 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 with The Healthy Homes Standard in Crofton Downs include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Crofton Downs for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns you should look for in an house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

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