Healthy Homes Assessment Crofton Downs

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure that their Crofton Downs rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it’s in compliance with 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 done and provide an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes relevant fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re completely certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Crofton Downs rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be finished within 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

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

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current when the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be maintained through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It is also important to keep in mind that landlords who own multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for severe breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have an home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Crofton Downs, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as heart diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four major home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the standard of Crofton Downs rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living because of diseases. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs over the long term.

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

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Crofton Downs Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Crofton Downs

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A damp home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or a clear draught out of a hole or gap, then it’s likely a crack or crack that needs sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit of the home require sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as far as imaginable.

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 could be required to allow for movement of the structure when the house warms and cools so that they can still be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will test all doors and windows in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is important for well-being homes

Heating Crofton Downs

Crofton Downs rental properties should have a permanent source of heat which can warm the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to top up by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it should include an thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source like the heat pump, it might just require an update to ensure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

See the full details to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Crofton Downs

Every living space in the rental property should contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

This ventilation standard is all about understanding it is that dried air can be less difficult to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-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 such as the hallway aren’t liveable and therefore are not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements to have the ability of opening to the outside while remaining at an open angle to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your property with a bath, shower cooker or any other humidity-generating items will need appropriate extractor fans that vent out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation 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 quality.

A warm dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Crofton Downs

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement on all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation is in line with this new quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, as well as making more easy for the household to retain warmth.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of the 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 and underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Crofton Downs Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water and to prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s usually the concerns you don’t notice that can become a big problem, causing the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have effective drainage to remove storm water, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor 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

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Crofton Downs include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Crofton Downs for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to look over during an house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenant solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For professional advice, call today and book your rental properties house assessment.