Healthy Homes Assessment Crofton Downs

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure their Crofton Downs rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully certified by 1 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 whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks required. needs to be completed, and offer an evaluation report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with 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 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 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, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Crofton Downs rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be completed within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Crofton Downs rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they may receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It is important to remember that a landlord who have multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have an house inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households rent homes in New Zealand and Crofton Downs, and research indicates that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and are of lower quality than the homes of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who have reported at least four key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the standard of Crofton Downs rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and living due to health issues. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping in Crofton Downs rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Crofton Downs

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in houses. A damp home costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting money and energy.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a gap or hole, then it is likely a crack or an opening that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out of the home require seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t require to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow movement of the building when the home is heated and cools to allow them to be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors as part of our 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 houses

Heating Crofton Downs

Crofton Downs rental properties need to have a stable heating source that is able to heat the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if your current permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it needs to include a thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source like the heat pump, it could need an update to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Crofton Downs

Each living space within a rental property must include at least one open window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

A ventilation standard is all about understanding how dry air will be less difficult to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable and therefore are not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or the skylight requirements to be able to open up to the outside, but remain at an open angle to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your house that houses shower, bath or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Crofton Downs

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory for all rent houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might require to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and also makes much easier for the home to retain the heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values required for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Crofton Downs Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go, and stop it from coming into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s usually not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble and cause damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to remove rainwater, storm water, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

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

A ground moisture barrier is usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from rising into the structure. It also assists 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 Crofton Downs

Property rental areas that are affected by Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Crofton Downs include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Crofton Downs for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to be able to examine in the home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today and book your rental property home evaluation.