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 make sure 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 must be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks that needs to be done, and provide an evaluation report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties we are fully certified to evaluate both 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, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Crofton Downs rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be completed inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be current when the tenancy contract is signed. It should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It’s crucial to note that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down only for serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have an house assessment performed for your rental property.

See the full details for the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households the property in New Zealand and Crofton Downs, and research suggests that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and are of lower quality than the houses of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who experience at least four major housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Crofton Downs rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and living because of illness. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping within Crofton Downs rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Crofton Downs Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Crofton Downs

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in houses. A damp home costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a crack or a gap that is, it is likely to be a gap or hole that requirements sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within the house require to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t require to block holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow movement of the building when the home is heated and cools so that they can still be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will examine the windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Crofton Downs

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

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), then it must include the thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source, like the heat pump, it might require an upgrade to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Crofton Downs

Each living space within a rental property must have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is about recognising the fact that dry air is less difficult to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable and therefore are not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or the skylight needs to be able open to the outside while remaining set in an opening position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath cooker or any other humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems that can be vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Crofton Downs

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required in all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation meets current standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and will also make more easy to the household 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 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder area 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 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Crofton Downs Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about the inside but you must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is typically what you don’t see that can become a big problem and cause damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from getting into the home. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Crofton Downs

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Crofton Downs for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to be able to examine when conducting the home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a Tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For expert advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property house assessment.