Healthy Homes Assessment Crofton Downs

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to ensure their Crofton Downs rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely 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 your rental property to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work that needs to be done and offer a report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, we are fully certified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Crofton Downs rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be completed within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand 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 meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, it could result in 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 are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they could be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out which could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It is updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for serious breaches, and landlords with 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 comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and ask us to conduct an home assessment done for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Crofton Downs, and research suggests that rental homes are likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than the homes of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who reported four or more key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Crofton Downs rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and living due to health issues. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well 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 less temperature in homes. A damp home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap and you can feel it, it is likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out from your home need to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

There is no need to cover up gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure as the home warms and cools in order to let them be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will test all doors and windows as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for healthy homes

Heating Crofton Downs

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

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it must be equipped with a thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source, like the heat pump, it may need an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Crofton Downs

Every living space in a rental home must include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about understanding that dry air is much easier to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or skylight requirements at least of opening to the outside and remain set in an opening position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your property with a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture-producing item will need proper extractor fan systems which are vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

Find out all the details about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Crofton Downs

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement for all rent houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation is up to the new quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and it will make an easier task for the house to keep warmth.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and 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 the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Crofton Downs Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s frequently those things that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between your flooring and soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from entering the structure. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Crofton Downs

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

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Crofton Downs for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to look over when conducting a home assessment to see if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today to book your rental property house evaluation.