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 in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to 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 must 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 the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks that requirements to be done, and offer an evaluation report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes connected fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, we are completely qualified for both 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 on a Crofton Downs rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be done within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Crofton Downs rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the new, renewed or amended 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 required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property and it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it is finished.

It is important to remember that landlords with several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for severe violations. Those who have six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and make arrangements to have a house assessment done for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households rent homes in New Zealand and Crofton Downs, and research indicates that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who reported four or more key home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Improving the standard of Crofton Downs rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to illness. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping within Crofton Downs rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss the 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 houses. A damp house costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap, then it’s most likely a gap or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out from your house need seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched whenever possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the house is heated and cools so that they can still be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will inspect all doors and windows as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for healthy houses

Heating Crofton Downs

Rental properties in Crofton Downs should have a permanent heating source that is able to heat the living space to at least 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. 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 that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

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

If your main living space already has a central heating source, like the heat pump, it may require an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Crofton Downs

Every living space of a rental home must contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about acknowledging how dry air is more easy to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or Skylight needs to have the ability to open to the outside and remain at an open angle, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your property with shower, bath, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will require adequate extractor fans that vent towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Crofton Downs

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation meets current standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and it will make much easier to the household to retain the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 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 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Crofton Downs Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the inside It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s typically not apparent that it could become a major issue and end up causing the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to remove storm water, surface water and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor 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 to The 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 a variety of things to look over in an house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenant services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental property house evaluation.