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 must ensure their Crofton Downs rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can 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 any work required. needs 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 to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re fully qualified to assess 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 brand new, renewed or varied 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 new or renewed tenancy 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 all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they could be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who offer a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out, so it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It is crucial to be aware that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are given only for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and arrange to have a home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance 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 and are not as effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than the houses of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative health results, specifically for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who have reported four or more key home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Improving the quality of Crofton Downs rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and living due to health issues. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control on Crofton Downs rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Crofton Downs

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

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a gap or hole, then it is probably a gap or hole that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out of your house need sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent possible.

There is no need to block off holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement within the structure as the household warms and cools in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will examine all doors and windows during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Crofton Downs

Crofton Downs rental properties should have a permanent source of heating that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 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 as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it should be equipped with an thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as heat pumps, it might just need a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

Check out the complete details to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Crofton Downs

Every living space of the rental property should include at least one open door or window to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

A ventilation standard is about recognising it is that dry air is much easier to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or the skylight requirements at least to open to the outside and remain fixed in an open position to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your home that has a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will require adequate extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Crofton Downs

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required for all rent homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation meets this new quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, as well as making an easier task for the household to retain the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest 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 and 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 moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is 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 should have efficient drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from entering the structure. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Find out all the details of this 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 Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Crofton Downs for Rental Properties

There are many things to check in the house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For expert advice get in touch now and schedule your rental properties home assessment.