Healthy Homes Assessment Crofton Downs

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Crofton Downs rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to check whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of the work which requirements to be completed and offer a report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re completely qualified for both 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, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Crofton Downs rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be finished inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Crofton Downs rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property which could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is completed, and must be updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It’s crucial to note that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are handed down for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and request an home assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Crofton Downs, and research shows us that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who report at least four major house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Crofton Downs rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and living due to illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping in Crofton Downs rental properties.

Start now and call about the 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 households. A humid home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a gap or hole or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or an opening that needs sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of the home require seals. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as far as imaginable.

You don’t need to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for the movement of the building when the house warms and cools so that they can still be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect every window and door as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Crofton Downs

Rental properties in Crofton Downs need to have a stable heating source that is able to heat the main or largest living room to at least 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the current fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to top up by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

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

If your main living space already has a central heating source, such as an air conditioner, it might just need a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the quality since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, or unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Crofton Downs

Every living space in a rental property must include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation standard is all about understanding how the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or skylight requirements to be able to open to the outside while remaining set in an opening position to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your house that houses a bath, shower, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Crofton Downs

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required in all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation is up to current quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and also makes it easier for the house to retain the heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all area 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 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

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water, and stop it from coming inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble and cause damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Crofton Downs

The areas of rental property that are affected to Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Crofton Downs include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Crofton Downs for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to be able to examine when conducting the home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the 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 replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenancy services ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today and book your rental properties house assessment.