Healthy Homes Assessment Crofton Downs

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure that their Crofton Downs rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work that needs to be completed, and offer an assessment report that includes all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, we are completely qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Crofton Downs rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be finished within 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not 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 are living in. If the property manager is unable to provide the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who offer a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is important to remember that landlords with multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in huge fines, in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and request an home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Crofton Downs, and research indicates that rental homes are likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who experience four or more key home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Improving the standard of Crofton Downs rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to illness. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught-stopping for Crofton Downs rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss the Crofton Downs Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Crofton Downs

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in homes. A humid house will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap or crack, then it is most likely a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of your home need to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t require to block holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement of the structure as the home warms and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will check the windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Crofton Downs

Rental properties in Crofton Downs must have a fixed heating source that can heat the{ main or largest|| largest or main| principal or the biggest} living area to at minimum 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 well-being.

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the current fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to top up with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat source, it must include the thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source such as a heat pump, then it might just require some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Crofton Downs

Every living space of the rental property should include at least one open doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about acknowledging the fact that dried air can be easier to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore do not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open to the outside while remaining at an open angle, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your property with shower, bath cooker or any other moisture-producing item will need adequate extractor fans that are vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Crofton Downs

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory in all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation meets this new quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and will also make more easy for the home to retain heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Crofton Downs Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is frequently what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have effective drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Learn more about The 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 through the Healthy Homes Standards 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 many concerns to be able to examine in the house review to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an Tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental properties house assessment.