Healthy Homes Assessment Clouston Park

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure that their Clouston Park 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 fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to check whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work which requirements to be completed, and provide an assessment report that includes all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, and are completely certified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Clouston Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be finished inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new or renewed contract is signed on a Clouston Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

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

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it should be kept updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It’s crucial to be aware that landlords who manage several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for severe breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have an house assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households homes in New Zealand and Clouston Park, and research suggests that rental homes are likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and tend to be lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. In addition, people who report four or more key house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Clouston Park rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of diseases. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping in Clouston Park rental properties.

Start now and call about receiving a Clouston Park Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Clouston Park

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in houses. A cold house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable 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 or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of your home need the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure when the house warms and cools so that they can still be opened and closed rather than securing. We will check every window and door during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is important for healthy homes

Heating Clouston Park

Rental properties in Clouston Park need to have a stable heating source that can warm the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the existing fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to top up with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it needs to be equipped with an thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. In most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a central heating source such as an air conditioner, it could require a top up to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Clouston Park

Every living space of a rental home must contain at minimum one open door or window to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about acknowledging how dry air is easier to heat and that a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t liveable and therefore are not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or skylight needs for them to be in a position open to the outside, and stay at an open angle to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your property with shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Clouston Park

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory on all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and it will make an easier task for the home to hold heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of the 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 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Clouston Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually the things you don’t notice that could become a major issue and end up causing the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from rising into the home. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Clouston Park

Rental property areas affected through Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Clouston Park include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Clouston Park for Rental Properties

There are many things to be able to examine in a house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenancy services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to book your rental property home assessment.