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 in force on July 1, 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 new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be done, and provide an evaluation report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re fully certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Crofton Downs rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be taken care of within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Crofton Downs rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they can receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out which 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 before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It is updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It’s also important to remember that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down only for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct an home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Crofton Downs, and research shows us that these rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Crofton Downs rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and living because of illnesses. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping on Crofton Downs rental properties.

Start now and call about receiving a Crofton Downs Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Crofton Downs

Draughts may lead to less temperature in households. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, which completed jobs in wasting money and energy.

If a draught can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap, then it is likely a crack or hole that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out from your home need seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped whenever imaginable.

There is no need to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow movement of the building as the household heats and cools, so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will test every window and door as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for well-being houses

Heating Crofton Downs

Crofton Downs rental properties require a reliable source of heat which can warm the{ main or largest|| largest or main| principal or the biggest} living area to at minimum 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The heating source needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. 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 small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source such as heat pumps, it could require a top up in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the quality because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Crofton Downs

Every living space in the rental property should include at least one open window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

This ventilation quality is about recognising the fact that dry air is much easier to heat and the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or Skylight requirements at least to open to the outside while remaining at an open angle in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your property with a bath, shower cooker or any other water-generating appliance will need adequate extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A cozy dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Crofton Downs

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory in all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation meets this new quality. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and also makes an easier task to the household to keep warmth.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 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 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Crofton Downs Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is frequently the things you don’t notice that could be a huge problem and cause damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a location to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the building. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Crofton Downs

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Crofton Downs for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things you should look for during a house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For expert advice get in touch now and schedule your rental properties home evaluation.