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 are now required to ensure that their Crofton Downs rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully 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 meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks that needs to be done, and provide an assessment report that includes all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, as well as fully qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed for 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, if a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Crofton Downs rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out, so it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be current when the tenancy contract is completed, and should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It is crucial to remember that landlords who manage several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for the most serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct a home assessment performed for your rental property.

Get the full description of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Crofton Downs, and research indicates that rental houses are likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who reported at least four major house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Improving the quality of Crofton Downs rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to diseases. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping within Crofton Downs rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Crofton Downs

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside houses. A cold home costs more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a crack or a gap that is, it is most likely a gap or an opening that needs sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out within the home need the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped whenever imaginable.

You don’t require to block holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the house heats and cools, in order to let them be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will inspect every window and door during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Crofton Downs

Crofton Downs rental properties should have a permanent source of heating that can heat the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top-up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it should have an thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source, such as an air conditioner, it may need an update to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Crofton Downs

Every living space of a rental property has to have at least one opening door or window to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation quality is about recognising that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable and are not require an opening door or window.

Each door, window or the skylight needs for them to be in a position to open up to the outside and remain set in an opening position, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your property with a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture generating item will require suitable extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A dry and warm house is a healthy home

Insulation Crofton Downs

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement on all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation meets the new quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness as well as making an easier task to allow the house to keep heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Crofton Downs Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow and stop it from coming inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s often what you don’t see that could be a huge problem that can cause damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the building. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Crofton Downs

Rental property areas affected to Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Crofton Downs include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Crofton Downs for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns you should look for when conducting a home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today to book your rental property house evaluation.