Healthy Homes Assessment Crofton Downs

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must ensure their Crofton Downs rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties 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 assess your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work which requirements to be done and provide the report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes associated fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, as well as fully certified to assess 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, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Crofton Downs rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be completed within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy 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 inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant could be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who offer a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s important to remember that landlords who own multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved only for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and arrange to have an house assessment performed for your rental property.

Check out the complete details of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households from New Zealand and Crofton Downs, and research shows us that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four major housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the standard of Crofton Downs rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of diseases. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Stopping in Crofton Downs rental properties.

Begin now by calling about 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 households. A humid home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap, then it is most likely a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out within the house need seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated whenever possible.

There is no require to block off gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow movement of the building as the household gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be closed and opened rather than securing. We will inspect every window and door in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Crofton Downs

Crofton Downs rental properties should have a permanent source of heating that can warm the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the existing fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it should include an thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source, such as a heat pump, then it could need a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Crofton Downs

Every living space of a rental property must have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about recognising it is that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements at least open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will need proper extractor fan systems that are vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Crofton Downs

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement to all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure the insulation meets this new standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and will also make more easy to the house to retain the heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all part 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

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Crofton Downs Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is frequently the concerns you don’t notice that can become a big problem and end up causing damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

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

Ground moisture barriers are usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from rising into the property. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Crofton Downs

Property rental areas that are affected by the Healthy Homes Standards in Crofton Downs include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Crofton Downs for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to check when conducting a home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a tenancy services ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today and book your rental properties house evaluation.