Healthy Homes Assessment Crofton Downs

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks that requirements to be completed, and offer an assessment report that includes all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties we are completely certified to assess 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, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Crofton Downs rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be completed by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Crofton Downs rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It should be kept updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s also important to note that a landlord who own multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for severe violations. Those who have six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have a house inspection performed for your rental property.

Find the full information on the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households rent from New Zealand and Crofton Downs, and research has shown that these rental homes are most likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who experience at least four key home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the quality of Crofton Downs rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and living because of illness. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control for Crofton Downs rental properties.

Start now and call about receiving a Crofton Downs Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Crofton Downs

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in homes. A humid home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear out of a hole or gap or crack, then it is probably a gap or hole which needs sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out into your house require seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped as much as possible.

You don’t require to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement of the structure when the house is heated and cools to allow them to be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will examine all doors and windows in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for healthy houses

Heating Crofton Downs

Crofton Downs rental properties need to have a stable source of heating that can heat the main or largest living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, 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 that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to top up with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump then it must be equipped with the thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a central heating source such as the heat pump, it might just require some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the quality because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Crofton Downs

Every living space in the rental property should have at least one openable window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

The ventilation quality is all about understanding it is that dried air can be more easy to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and therefore don’t require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or the skylight needs for them to be in a position to open up to the outside while remaining at an open angle, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your home that has shower, bath or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will need proper extractor fan systems that can be vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A cozy dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Crofton Downs

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement on all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is up to the new standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness as well as making much easier for the home to retain warmth.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9, 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

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

Crofton Downs Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the inside; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and also stop it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s usually the things you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble and cause damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from rising into the property. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Crofton Downs

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to 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 numerous things you should look for during a home assessment to see if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental properties home evaluation.