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 effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Crofton Downs rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely compliant by 1 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 is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks that needs to be done and provide an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, as well as completely qualified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Crofton Downs rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be done by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days of being informed of the request, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It is also crucial to note that landlords who manage multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for severe violations. Those who have more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and arrange to have an house assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households from New Zealand and Crofton Downs, and research shows us that these rental houses are likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more major housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Crofton Downs rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living due to health issues. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

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.

Begin now by calling about receiving a Crofton Downs Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Crofton Downs

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within homes. A damp home costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap, then it’s likely to be a gap or an opening that needs sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out of the house need the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

You don’t need to block holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement within the structure when the house warms and cools so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will test all windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for healthy houses

Heating Crofton Downs

Rental properties in Crofton Downs should have a permanent source of heat which can warm the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the current installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to top up with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it should include an thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like an air conditioner, it might need a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Crofton Downs

Each liveable space in a rental property has to have at least one openable door or window to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about recognising that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore don’t require an opening door or window.

Each door, window or the skylight needs at least to open to the outside, and stay set in an opening position, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home that has a bath, shower cooker or any other humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A cozy dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Crofton Downs

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory for all rent homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation is in line with current standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and also makes an easier task for the household to keep heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all area of 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Crofton Downs Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the inside It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is often those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue, causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water, 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 structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from rising into the home. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Crofton Downs

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Crofton Downs for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to be able to examine in an home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the Tenancy services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental properties home assessment.