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 now have to make sure that their Crofton Downs rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely 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 and determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks that requirements to be done and offer the report with all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, as well as completely qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Crofton Downs rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they may receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it must be updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It’s also crucial to be aware that a landlord with several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for severe violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and make arrangements to have an house inspection performed on 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 the property in New Zealand and Crofton Downs, and research indicates that rental houses tend to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who report at least four key home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Improving the quality of Crofton Downs rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to health issues. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping in Crofton Downs rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about getting a Crofton Downs Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Crofton Downs

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A humid house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap or crack, then it is probably a gap or hole which needs sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit into your home require to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no need to block off holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement within the building as the home warms and cools in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will examine all doors and windows as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for healthy homes

Heating Crofton Downs

Rental properties in Crofton Downs should have a permanent source of heat that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it requirements to have an thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source like an air conditioner, it could require an update to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the quality since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Crofton Downs

Each liveable space in a rental property must contain at minimum one open doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about understanding it is that dry air is easier to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable , and thus do not require an opening window or door.

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

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will need suitable extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

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

A cozy dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Crofton Downs

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required 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, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and also makes it easier for the house to hold the heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Crofton Downs Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface or ground water and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically the concerns you don’t notice that could be a huge problem and cause damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

See the full 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 with Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Crofton Downs include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Crofton Downs for Rental Properties

There are many things to be able to examine when conducting a home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenant solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice, call now and schedule your rental properties home evaluation.