Healthy Homes Assessment Crofton Downs

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure that their Crofton Downs rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to 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 will evaluate your rental property to check whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about the work that needs to be completed and offer an assessment report that includes all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re fully certified to evaluate 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 contract is signed on a Crofton Downs rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on the Crofton Downs rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside 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. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days of being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property which could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is signed. It must be updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It is important to keep in mind that landlords with several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for the most serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have an house inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Crofton Downs, and research shows us that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who report four or more major housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Improving the standard of Crofton Downs rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and living because of illness. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less maintenance costs over the long term.

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

Contact us now to discuss the Crofton Downs Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

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 is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole that is, it’s likely a crack or hole which needs sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out within your house require to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no need to cover up gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow movement of the building when the household is heated and cools 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.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Crofton Downs

Rental properties in Crofton Downs require a reliable source of heat that is able to heat the 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 health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the existing fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it requirements to be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like heat pumps, it might just need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the quality since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Crofton Downs

Every living space in a rental house must have at least one openable doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about recognising how dry air is easier to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or skylight requirements to be able open to the outside, and stay closed in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your property with a bath, shower and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will need adequate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Crofton Downs

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory on all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure the insulation meets current standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and also makes it easier for the household to keep the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the standard 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 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

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is typically the things you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble and cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water is able to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from rising into the home. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of 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 Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Crofton Downs include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Crofton Downs for Rental Properties

There are many things to look over when conducting a house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenant solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today to book your rental properties house evaluation.