Healthy Homes Assessment Crofton Downs

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must ensure their Crofton Downs rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work which 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 fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties and are completely certified to assess 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 or renewed contract is signed on a Crofton Downs rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be done inside of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It is also important to remember that landlords who have multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in massive fines as well as still being required to comply with the regulations. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have an house assessment performed on your rental property.

See the full details for the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Crofton Downs, and research indicates that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating and are of lower quality than the houses of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who experience four or more key home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Improve the quality of Crofton Downs rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control on 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 increase the likelihood of less temperature in households. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it is likely to be a gap or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out of the home require seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as far as imaginable.

There is no require to block off gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement within the building when the home is heated and cools in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will check all windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Crofton Downs

Rental properties in Crofton Downs should have a permanent heating source that is able to heat the main or largest living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the existing permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it requirements to include a thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source such as an air conditioner, it may require an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the standard since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Crofton Downs

Each living space within a rental house must include at least one open doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

The ventilation standard is all about understanding that dried air can be easier to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or Skylight requirements to be able to open up to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home that has a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will need adequate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Crofton Downs

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement to all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation meets this new quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and also makes an easier task to the household to hold the heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation can withstand 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 rest of the 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

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

Crofton Downs Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is often the things you don’t notice that could be a huge problem that can cause damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to remove rainwater, storm water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from getting into the home. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

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 Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Crofton Downs for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to be able to examine in a home review to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice get in touch now and schedule your rental property home assessment.