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? Landlords now have to ensure their Crofton Downs rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work needed to be completed. needs to be completed and offer an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, as well as completely qualified for each of 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 on a Crofton Downs rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be done within 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who offer a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out and it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it must be updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It is important to be aware that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are handed down only for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and request 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 is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Crofton Downs, and research indicates that rental houses tend to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than the homes of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative health results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who report four or more major house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Enhancing the quality of Crofton Downs rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and living due to health issues. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less maintenance costs over the long term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Crofton Downs

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in homes. A cold house costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to 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 is probably a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of the home need to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement within the building when the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will examine the windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is important for healthy houses

Heating Crofton Downs

Rental properties in Crofton Downs must have a fixed source of heating that is able to heat the largest or main living room to at least 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat source, it requirements to have an thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a central heating source such as a heat pump, then it could require a top up to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the standard as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Crofton Downs

Each liveable space in a rental home must include at least one open window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to take moisture away.

This ventilation quality is all about understanding how the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or Skylight requirements to be able to open up to the outside while remaining at an open angle, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your house that houses a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will need appropriate extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. This 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 this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Crofton Downs

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required on all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation meets current standard. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, as well as making it easier to the home to retain the heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of 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

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Crofton Downs Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go, and prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s typically what you don’t see that could be a huge problem and end up causing the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to remove rainwater, storm water, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Crofton Downs

The areas of rental property that are affected by The Healthy Homes Standard in Crofton Downs include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Crofton Downs for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns you should look for when conducting the home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• 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 a Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental properties home assessment.