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 that their Crofton Downs rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work that needs to be completed and provide an assessment report that includes all the information required to complete 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 found to not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors for rental properties, and are fully qualified to evaluate 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, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Crofton Downs rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be done inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new or renewed lease is entered into on the Crofton Downs rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they will receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty up to $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is completed, and must be updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is important to keep in mind that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for severe breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have a house assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Crofton Downs, and research has shown that these rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative health results, specifically for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who report at least four major housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Improve the quality of Crofton Downs rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to diseases. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance 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 for Crofton Downs rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Crofton Downs

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A draughty home costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap and you are able to feel it, it’s likely a crack or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out from your house require sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t require to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for the movement of the structure as the home is heated and cools to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will test all windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Crofton Downs

Crofton Downs rental properties require a reliable heating source that can heat the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it must have an thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as the heat pump, it may require an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the standard as they are either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Crofton Downs

Every living space in a rental house must have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

This ventilation standard is all about understanding that dry air will be easier to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and don’t require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or skylight needs at least of opening to the outside, but remain at an open angle, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will need appropriate extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Crofton Downs

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is in line with current standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and it will make more easy to the home to hold heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the 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, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

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

Crofton Downs Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the inside; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s typically the things you don’t notice that could be a huge problem and cause damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from entering the building. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Crofton Downs

Rental property areas affected through The Healthy Homes Standards in Crofton Downs include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Crofton Downs for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns you should look for in an house review to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an Tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental properties home assessment.