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 of July 2021? Landlords must ensure that their Churton Park rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks which requirements to be completed and provide an assessment report that includes all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes related fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, as well as fully qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Churton Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be taken care of within 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and should be kept updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It is important to be aware that a landlord who have multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for severe violations. Those who have six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have a house evaluation performed for your rental property.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Churton Park, and research suggests that rental homes are likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the homes of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who experience at least four key issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Churton Park rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and living because of health issues. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping for Churton Park rental properties.

Start now and call about getting a 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 damp home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole, then it is most likely a gap or crack that requirements sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit into your home need sealing. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement of the building when the home is heated and cools in order to let them be opened and closed rather than securing. We will test all windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for healthy homes

Heating Churton Park

Churton Park rental properties should have a permanent source of heating that can heat the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the current installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, then it must be equipped with the thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a central heating source such as an air conditioner, it might just require an update to ensure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Churton Park

Every living space of a rental house must have at least one opening door or window to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation standard is all about acknowledging it is that dry air is more easy to heat and that a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered liveable and don’t require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements to be able open to the outside while remaining at an open angle, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath cooker or any other water-generating appliance will need appropriate extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Churton Park

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation is up to current standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and also makes an easier task to allow the home to retain warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

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

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Churton Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the inside but you must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s usually not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble, causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to have effective drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a location to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Churton Park

Rental property areas affected by Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Churton Park include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Churton Park for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to check in a house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an Tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental properties house assessment.