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 of July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure their Crofton Downs rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must 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 can assess your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work that requirements to be completed and provide a report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, we are fully qualified for 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 have to be completed inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on the Crofton Downs rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It’s important to be aware that a landlord with multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved only for serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and make arrangements to have an house inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households in 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 are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Additionally, those who experience at least four key home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Improving the standard of Crofton Downs rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to illness. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance 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 as Draught-stopping within Crofton Downs rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Crofton Downs

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside households. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a hole or gap, then it is probably a gap or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out of your house require seals. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as far as possible.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the house warms and cools so that they can still be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will test the windows and doors in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Crofton Downs

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

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the current permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to top up by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it should have a thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and efficient. In most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like small apartments an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a central heating source such as heat pumps, it might need a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Crofton Downs

Every living space in a rental home must have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about recognising the fact that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable , and thus do not need an opening door or window.

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

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your property with shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need proper extractor fan systems that vent out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Crofton Downs

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory to all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might need to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, as well as making much easier for the house to retain warmth.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder part 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 (underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Crofton Downs Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and stop it from coming inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is frequently what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to be equipped with efficient drainage to remove rainwater, storm water and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from entering the building. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Crofton Downs

The areas of rental property that are affected with Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Crofton Downs include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Crofton Downs for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to be able to examine in an home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental properties house evaluation.