Healthy Homes Assessment Crofton Downs

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that 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 new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work required. needs to be completed, and offer an assessment report that includes all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes connected fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, we are 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, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Crofton Downs rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be taken care of within 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property, so it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It is also important to keep in mind that landlords with multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are reserved for the most serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in massive fines as well as still being required to comply with the regulations. Do not risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have an home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

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

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who have reported at least four key house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

The improvement in the standard of Crofton Downs rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and living because of illnesses. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower 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 Stopping on Crofton Downs rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about getting 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 homes. A cold home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it’s probably a gap or hole which requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within the house need the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever imaginable.

There is no need to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for the movement of the building as the house is heated and cools so that they can still be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will check the windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for healthy homes

Heating Crofton Downs

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

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it must have a thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source such as heat pumps, it could require an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Crofton Downs

Every living space in the rental property should include at least one open door or window to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is about recognising that dry air will be much 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 considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and therefore don’t need an opening door or window.

Every window, door or skylight requirements for them to be in a position open to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your house that houses a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture generating item will need suitable extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. Our 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 house is a healthy home

Insulation Crofton Downs

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required for all rent houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure the insulation meets current standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness as well as making more easy to the house to keep the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet 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 more high the R-value, better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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

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

Crofton Downs Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically the things you don’t notice that can become a big problem and cause damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps in preventing 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

Rental property areas affected by Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Crofton Downs include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Crofton Downs for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to check in an house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For specialist assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental properties house evaluation.