Healthy Homes Assessment Crofton Downs

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure 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 rental properties must 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 will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks required. requirements to be completed and offer an assessment report that includes all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, and are fully qualified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Crofton Downs rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be completed inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new or renewed lease is entered into on a Crofton Downs rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is signed. It should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s important to keep in mind that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and request an house evaluation performed for your rental property.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Crofton Downs, and research suggests that rental houses tend to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative health results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who report four or more key housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Improving the quality of Crofton Downs rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and living because of illness. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping within Crofton Downs rental properties.

Start now and call about the Crofton Downs Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Crofton Downs

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A cold house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap that is, it is likely to be a gap or hole which needs sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within your house need the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated whenever imaginable.

You don’t require to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement within the building as the household heats and cools, so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will test every window and door as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Crofton Downs

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

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the existing installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it must have a thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source, such as an air conditioner, it might just require some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Crofton Downs

Every living space in the rental property should have at least one opening window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

This ventilation standard is about recognising how the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t liveable , and thus don’t require an opening door or window.

Each door, window or skylight needs for them to be in a position to open to the outside, and stay set in an opening position to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your house that houses a bath, shower and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is an ideal home

Insulation Crofton Downs

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and also makes much easier to the household to retain warmth.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of the 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, underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Crofton Downs Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water, and stop it from coming inside. When it is about damp and water, it is often the concerns you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to have efficient drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from getting into the structure. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Crofton Downs

Property rental areas that are affected with The Healthy Homes Standard in Crofton Downs include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Crofton Downs for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to check during an house assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenant services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert advice, call today to schedule your rental property house assessment.