Healthy Homes Assessment Clouston Park

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure 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 rentals must 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 can evaluate your rental property and determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work that requirements to be done, and offer the report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re fully qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

As of 1st July 2021, if a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Clouston Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they can receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is letting the property out, so it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It is also crucial to be aware that a landlord with multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved only for serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have an home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households rent the property in New Zealand and Clouston Park, and research indicates that rental houses tend to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. In addition, people who report at least four major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Clouston Park rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and living because of health issues. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping within Clouston Park rental properties.

Start now and call about the Clouston Park Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Clouston Park

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within houses. A cold home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a crack or a gap, then it is probably a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out from the house need seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t need to block up intentional gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow movement of the building as the house gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will check the windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Clouston Park

Clouston Park rental properties must have a fixed heating source which can warm the main or largest living space to at least 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. 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 be fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require 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 suitable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source such as the heat pump, it could require an upgrade to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the quality since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Clouston Park

Every living space in a rental property has to have at least one opening window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about recognising how dried air can be easier to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or the skylight needs at least to open to the outside, and stay closed, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your home that has a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will require proper extractor fan systems that vent to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Clouston Park

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory for all rent homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and will also make more easy for the home to hold the heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all area 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, underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Clouston Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is typically not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble and cause damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from getting into the building. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Clouston Park

Property rental areas that are affected by The Healthy Homes Standard in Clouston Park include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Clouston Park for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to check in an house assessment to see if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

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