Healthy Homes Assessment Churton Park

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure that their Churton Park 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 fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by 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 assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work needed to be completed. needs to be completed and provide the report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with 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 $7200 plus any additional healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re 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, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Churton Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be done inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on the Churton Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about 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 of having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It is also crucial to note that landlords who have several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are given for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have a home assessment performed for your rental property.

Get the full description of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households rent from New Zealand and Churton Park, and research has shown that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than the houses of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. In addition, people who experience four or more key home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Improve the standard of Churton Park rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and living due to illnesses. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control in Churton Park rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss getting a Churton Park Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Churton Park

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in homes. A humid house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap or crack, then it is likely a crack or hole which needs sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out into your home require the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent possible.

There is no need to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow movement of the structure when the household gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be closed and opened rather than securing. We will test every window and door in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Churton Park

Rental properties in Churton Park must have a fixed source of heat which can warm the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if your current fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat pump then it must include an thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a central heating source like the heat pump, it may require an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Churton Park

Every living space in a rental property has to have at least one opening window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about acknowledging that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or the skylight needs to have the ability open to the outside and remain closed, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. The 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.

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

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Churton Park

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory to all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, as well as making more easy for the home to keep the heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder area 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Churton Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow and also stop it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s frequently the things you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble, causing the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from entering the building. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Churton Park

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Churton Park for Rental Properties

There are many things to look over in the home review to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For professional advice, call today to schedule your rental property house evaluation.