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 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 rentals must be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks needed to be completed. needs to be done and offer an evaluation report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes associated fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, 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

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

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Crofton Downs rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It’s crucial to remember that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for the most serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and request a home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households in New Zealand and Crofton Downs, and research has shown that these rental houses tend to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the standard of Crofton Downs rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance over the long term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Crofton Downs

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in houses. A cold home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or a clear draught out of a hole or gap, then it’s likely a crack or hole which requirements sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out within your home require sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped whenever possible.

There is no require to block up intentional holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow movement of the structure as the house is heated and cools so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will check every window and door during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Crofton Downs

Rental properties in Crofton Downs need to have a stable heating source which can warm the living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the existing installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to top up with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it should include the thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a central heating source such as an air conditioner, it could need a top up to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Crofton Downs

Each liveable space in a rental property must contain at minimum one open doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

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

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

Each window, door or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position open to the outside and remain at an open angle in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your home that has shower, bath or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will need appropriate extractor fans that vent out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

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

A cozy dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Crofton Downs

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory to 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, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and will also make more easy to the home to keep heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values required for your area

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• 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 quality.

Crofton Downs Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow, and stop it from coming into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s frequently those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between your floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from rising into the building. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the 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 Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Crofton Downs include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Crofton Downs for Rental Properties

There are many things to check during the house assessment to see if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenancy services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental properties home evaluation.