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 of July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure their Crofton Downs rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks required. needs to be completed, and offer an evaluation report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes associated fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, as well as completely qualified 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 brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Crofton Downs rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be finished inside of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It is also important to keep in mind that landlords with multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have an house inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households rent the property in New Zealand and Crofton Downs, and research indicates that rental houses are likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who reported four or more major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Improving the quality of Crofton Downs rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means 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 Draught Control within Crofton Downs rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Crofton Downs Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Crofton Downs

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within households. A humid house costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear out of a hole or gap and you can feel it, it’s likely to be a gap or crack that requirements sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into the home require sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t require to block off gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement within the structure as the house heats and cools, in order to let them be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will examine every window and door as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Crofton Downs

Rental properties in Crofton Downs must have a fixed source of heat that can heat the main or largest living space to at least 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it requirements to be equipped with an thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source like heat pumps, it might require an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Crofton Downs

Every living space in a rental property has to contain at minimum one open doors or windows to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is about recognising how dry air will be much easier to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus don’t need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or skylight needs to be able of opening to the outside, and stay closed in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your property with shower, bath, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will need adequate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A cozy dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Crofton Downs

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required in all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation meets current quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and will also make more easy to the home to keep the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder area 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Crofton Downs Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and to prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is usually the concerns you don’t notice that can become a big problem and cause damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the property. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Crofton Downs

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Crofton Downs for Rental Properties

There are numerous things you should look for when conducting an house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental property house assessment.