Healthy Homes Assessment Crofton Downs

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure 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 fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by 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 the work needed to be completed. requirements to be completed, and provide an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, and are fully certified to assess 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, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Crofton Downs rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be done inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s crucial to be aware that a landlord with several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for severe breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in huge fines, in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Check out the complete details of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households the property in New Zealand and Crofton Downs, and research indicates that rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than the homes of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who report at least four key housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Enhancing the standard of Crofton Downs rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to health issues. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

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

Begin now by calling about the Crofton Downs Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Crofton Downs

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in households. A cold home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a crack or a gap or crack, then it is likely a crack or hole that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out from the house require the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no require to block gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow movement of the structure when the house gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will inspect all windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Crofton Downs

Rental properties in Crofton Downs should have a permanent source of heating that can heat the main or largest living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it must be equipped with the thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and efficient. For most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source like the heat pump, it could require some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the quality since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Crofton Downs

Every living space of a rental home must contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is about recognising that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered liveable and don’t need an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or skylight needs to be able to open up to the outside while remaining closed to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home with a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will need appropriate extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A warm dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Crofton Downs

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory in all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation meets the new quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and also makes an easier task to allow the home to retain warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor 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

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Crofton Downs Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the inside it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go and prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s usually the things you don’t notice that could become a major issue, causing the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to have effective drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between floorboards and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring 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 by the Healthy Homes Standard in Crofton Downs include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Crofton Downs for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things you should look for in a house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

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