Healthy Homes Assessment Churton Park

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Churton Park rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate 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 about the tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be done, and provide an evaluation report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach 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 in addition to any healthy homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, and are fully qualified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Churton Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on a Churton Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is named on the lease contract as the person who is letting the property 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 correct before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and must be updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is important to remember that landlords with multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for the most serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have an home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households rent the property in New Zealand and Churton Park, and research has shown that these rental houses tend to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than the houses of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative health results, specifically for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who report four or more key house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Improving the standard of Churton Park rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping in Churton Park rental properties.

Start now and call about the Churton Park Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Churton Park

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in houses. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap or crack, then it’s probably a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into your house need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as far as imaginable.

There is no need to block up intentional holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow movement of the building as the household gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will test the windows and doors in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are important for healthy houses

Heating Churton Park

Churton Park rental properties must have a fixed source of heat that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it must have the thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like a heat pump, then it may require a top up to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Churton Park

Each living space within a rental home must contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation standard is all about understanding it is that dry air will be easier to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and do not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or skylight needs at least of opening to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your property with shower, bath, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will need appropriate extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is a healthy house

Insulation Churton Park

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure the insulation meets current quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and will also make much easier to allow the home to hold warmth.

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 can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

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

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Churton Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is frequently those things that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue, causing damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from entering the structure. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Churton Park

The areas of rental property that are affected through the Healthy Homes Standard in Churton Park include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Churton Park for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns you should look for in the house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an Tenancy services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist assistance, get in touch today and book your rental property house assessment.