Healthy Homes Assessment Crofton Downs

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 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 new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks needed to be completed. needs to be completed and offer an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes related fines.

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

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Crofton Downs rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be finished within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new or renewed lease is entered into on a Crofton Downs rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done 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. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the property manager does not supply the necessary information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of up to $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s also important to remember that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are given for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have an house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households homes in New Zealand and Crofton Downs, and research suggests that rental homes tend to be colder, older, have less effective heating and have lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative health results, specifically for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who have reported at least four key home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Crofton Downs rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs 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 in Crofton Downs rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss having a 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 households. A draughty house will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the air is clear out of a hole or gap, then it is probably a gap or hole that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within your home need to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped as far as imaginable.

You don’t require to block holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow movement of the building as the household warms and cools so that they can still be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will check every window and door during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Crofton Downs

Crofton Downs rental properties require a reliable heating source which can warm the main or largest living space to at least 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the existing fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to top up with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must have a thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source such as the heat pump, it could require some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard because they’re costly, not affordable to run, and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Crofton Downs

Each living space within a rental house must include at least one open door or window to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about understanding the fact that dried air can be easier to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus don’t need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or Skylight needs at least to open up to the outside, and stay at an open angle to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your property with a bath, shower cooker or any other water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans which are vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

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 is required on all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and also makes an easier task to allow the home to retain heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest part 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Crofton Downs Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is usually the concerns you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble and cause damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to have efficient drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the home. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Crofton Downs

Rental property areas affected by The Healthy Homes Standard 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 a myriad of things to be able to examine in a home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For professional advice, call now and schedule your rental property house assessment.