Healthy Homes Assessment Crofton Downs

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must make sure that their Crofton Downs rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work needed to be completed. requirements to be done and provide a report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes related fines.

We’re completely 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

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Crofton Downs rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be finished inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they will receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty approximately $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is signed. It is updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s crucial to remember that landlords who own several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for severe breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and request an house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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?

About 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Crofton Downs, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative health results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who reported at least four major home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the quality of Crofton Downs rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to illness. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control within Crofton Downs rental properties.

Begin now by calling about having a Crofton Downs Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Crofton Downs

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within households. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap and you can feel it, it is likely a crack or crack that needs sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from your home require sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped as much as possible.

There is no require to block up intentional holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement of the structure as the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than securing. We will inspect all windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Crofton Downs

Rental properties in Crofton Downs require a reliable source of heating that is able to heat the living space to at least 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to top up by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it needs to be equipped with a thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartments an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source, like a heat pump, then it could require a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Crofton Downs

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about acknowledging the fact that dry air is much easier to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t living spaces and therefore do not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or Skylight needs to be able to open to the outside, but remain closed in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your property with a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture generating item will require suitable extractor fans that vent to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

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

A dry and warm house is an ideal house

Insulation Crofton Downs

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory to all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure the insulation meets this new standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and it will make much easier to allow the household to hold heat.

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

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

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

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

Crofton Downs Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow, and prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s typically not apparent that it could be a huge problem and end up causing the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath 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 the floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the property. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Crofton Downs

The areas of rental property that are affected by the Healthy Homes Standards in Crofton Downs include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Crofton Downs for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to look over when conducting a home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an Tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental property house evaluation.