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 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 rentals must be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects 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 whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks which needs to be done, and offer the report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, as well as fully certified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Crofton Downs rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who offer a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It is also crucial to remember that a landlord with multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct an home inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households in New Zealand and Crofton Downs, and research shows us that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who reported at least four major housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Improve the standard 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 illnesses. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs over 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-stopping in Crofton Downs rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Crofton Downs

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A cold house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or a clear draught out of a hole or gap, then it’s likely to be a gap or crack that needs sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out of the house require seals. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as far as possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure when the household warms and cools in order to let them be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for healthy homes

Heating Crofton Downs

Crofton Downs rental properties should have a permanent source of heating that can heat the main or largest living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, 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 health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump, then it must include a thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source such as an air conditioner, it could need an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Crofton Downs

Every living space of a rental property has to have at least one opening doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about understanding the fact that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t liveable , and thus don’t need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or Skylight needs at least to open up to the outside, and stay set in an opening position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your property with shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will need appropriate extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is an ideal house

Insulation Crofton Downs

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory on all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness as well as making it easier for the home to keep the heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire 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

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the inside It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s frequently not apparent that it can become a big problem and end up causing damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water is able to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between the floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from rising into the building. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Learn more about 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 with Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards 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 variety of concerns to look over during the home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an Tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property house evaluation.