Healthy Homes Assessment Crofton Downs

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Crofton Downs rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess the rental property you have in order 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 of the tasks which needs to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, as well as completely qualified to assess each of 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 Crofton Downs rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Crofton Downs rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they may receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting 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 when the tenancy contract is completed, and must be updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s crucial to remember that landlords with multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for severe breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have an house assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

Check out the complete details of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households rent homes in New Zealand and Crofton Downs, and research shows us that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating and tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Improving the quality of Crofton Downs rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of diseases. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping within Crofton Downs rental properties.

Start now and call about having a Crofton Downs Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Crofton Downs

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within homes. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap, then it’s probably a gap or hole that needs sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from the home need sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated as far as possible.

There is no need to block holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for the movement of the building when the home warms and cools in order to let them be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will examine all doors and windows during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Crofton Downs

Crofton Downs rental properties should have a permanent source of heat that can heat the living space to at least 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 as well as their mental health.

The heating source 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 for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if your current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to top up with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must be equipped with a thermostat. This will help 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. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a central heating source such as a heat pump, then it may need an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Crofton Downs

Each living space within a rental property has to include at least one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about acknowledging that dried air can 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 rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not living spaces and therefore don’t require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements at least to open up to the outside while remaining at an open angle to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your property with shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will require suitable extractor fans that vent out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Crofton Downs

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement to all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation meets the new standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and it will make an easier task to the home to keep heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

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

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Crofton Downs Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the inside It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is usually what you don’t see that could be a huge problem, causing damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from getting into the home. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Crofton Downs

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Crofton Downs include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Crofton Downs for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to check in the house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For professional advice, call today to book your rental properties house assessment.