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 make sure that their Crofton Downs rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely conforming by the 1st 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 to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks required. requirements to be done and offer an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, and are completely qualified to assess both 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, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Crofton Downs rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be done within 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who offer a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as the person who is letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s important to keep in mind that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are handed down for the most serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and request an home inspection performed on your rental property.

Get the full description of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households from New Zealand and Crofton Downs, and research indicates that rental houses are likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating, and generally are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who experience four or more major issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the quality of Crofton Downs rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of health issues. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

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

Contact us now to discuss having a Crofton Downs Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Crofton Downs

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within homes. A cold home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air entering or a clear draught from a hole or gap, then it’s likely to be a gap or hole that needs sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out into your home require sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to block gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement of the building when the house heats and cools, in order to let them be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will inspect all windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for well-being homes

Heating Crofton Downs

Crofton Downs rental properties need to have a stable source of heating which can warm the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat source, it should be equipped with an thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a central heating source such as heat pumps, it might require some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Crofton Downs

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one opening window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

This ventilation standard is about recognising it is that dry air will be much easier to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or the skylight needs at least open to the outside while remaining set in an opening position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your house that houses shower, bath or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will need proper extractor fan systems which are vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is a healthy house

Insulation Crofton Downs

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory for all rent homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and also makes more easy to the house to hold warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 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 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

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 rain, surface as well as groundwater to move and prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is frequently what you don’t see that could be a huge problem and end up causing damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to remove storm water, surface water, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from entering the property. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Crofton Downs

Property rental areas that are affected with Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Crofton Downs include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Crofton Downs for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to be able to examine in an house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today to book your rental properties home evaluation.