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 now have to make sure their Crofton Downs rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks which requirements to be completed and offer an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes relevant fines.

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

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Crofton Downs rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be completed within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Crofton Downs rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who offer a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It is important to be aware that a landlord with multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for the most serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and request an house evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Crofton Downs, and research shows us that these rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and are of lower quality than the homes of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who reported four or more key home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Crofton Downs rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and living due to illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected 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 requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping in Crofton Downs rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Crofton Downs

Draughts may lead to less temperature in homes. A damp home is more expensive to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a crack or a gap and you can feel it, it’s likely to be a gap or an opening that needs sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out within your home need seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as possible.

There is no require to block off holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement within the structure when the house gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will inspect all windows and doors in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for healthy homes

Heating Crofton Downs

Rental properties in Crofton Downs require a reliable heating source that is able to heat the largest or main living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the existing fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to top up with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it needs to include a thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. For most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as an air conditioner, it may require some additional energy to make sure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Crofton Downs

Each living space within a rental house must have at least one openable door or window to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

This ventilation quality is about recognising it is that dry air is less difficult to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus do not require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or the skylight requirements to be able open to the outside, and stay at an open angle in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your home with shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will need suitable extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is a healthy home

Insulation Crofton Downs

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation meets this new quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might 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 it will make much easier for the home to hold the heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Crofton Downs Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and stop it from coming into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s often what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

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

Ground moisture barriers are generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from getting into the home. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Crofton Downs

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Crofton Downs include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Crofton Downs for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to be able to examine during a home assessment to see 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 waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For expert advice, call now and schedule your rental property home evaluation.