Healthy Homes Assessment Crofton Downs

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure 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 areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks required. requirements to be completed, and offer an assessment report that includes all the details required for 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 who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes connected fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties we are completely qualified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Crofton Downs rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if 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 meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they could receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out which could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It’s also important to remember that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down only for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and make arrangements to have a house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households in New Zealand and Crofton Downs, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and have lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative health results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who report four or more major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

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

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping on 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 are a major cause of less temperature in homes. A humid home will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap or crack, then it’s likely a crack or hole which needs sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out into your home need the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched as much as imaginable.

You don’t require to cover up holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for the movement of the building when the household gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will check all doors and windows as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Crofton Downs

Rental properties in Crofton Downs need to have a stable source of heat which can warm the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the existing fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump it should be equipped with an thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a central heating source such as heat pumps, it might require an update to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Crofton Downs

Each liveable space in a rental house must include at least one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about understanding it is that dry air will be more easy to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus are not require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or skylight requirements at least to open up to the outside, and stay set in an opening position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your home that has shower, bath cooker or any other humidity-generating items will require suitable extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Crofton Downs

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory to all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation is up to this new quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, as well as making it easier to allow the house to hold the heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Crofton Downs Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface or ground water, and stop it from coming inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s often what you don’t see that could become a major issue that can cause the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a proper place to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from getting into the building. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Crofton Downs

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

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Crofton Downs for Rental Properties

There are many things to check in the house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today and book your rental properties house assessment.