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 effect on the 1st of July 2021? The 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 rental properties are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work needed to be completed. needs to be done and offer a report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental property, as well as completely qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Churton Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be done by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Churton Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they will be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as being the person leasing the property out, 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 duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it is finished.

It is also important to note that landlords who have multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down only for serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in large fines in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and ask us to conduct an house assessment done on your rental property.

See the full details for this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Churton Park, and research indicates that rental houses are likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating and tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Additionally, those who reported four or more major housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the quality of Churton Park rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping on Churton Park rental properties.

Start now and call about receiving a Churton Park Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Churton Park

Draughts may lead to less temperature in households. A draughty home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a gap or hole that is, it is most likely a gap or hole which needs sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out into the house require to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

You don’t require to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow movement of the structure as the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will test all windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Churton Park

Rental properties in Churton Park must have a fixed source of heat that can warm the main or largest living space to at least 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended 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) and at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it should be equipped with an thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a central heating source like the heat pump, it may need some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Churton Park

Each living space within a rental home must have at least one opening window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation quality is all about understanding it is that dry air will be much easier to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or Skylight needs at least to open to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your home with shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will need suitable extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Churton Park

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory to all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and also makes more easy to allow the house to retain the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

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

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

Churton Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is typically not apparent that it can become a big problem, causing damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps in preventing any damage to your 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 Churton Park

Rental property areas affected with the Healthy Homes Standards in Churton Park include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Churton Park for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns you should look for when conducting a home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and 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 being in the wrong of an tenant solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For expert assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental properties home assessment.