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 of July 2021? Landlords now have to make sure their Clouston Park rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must be completely 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 evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work which needs to be done, and offer an evaluation report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes associated fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, we are completely 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, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Clouston Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be completed within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed lease is entered into on a Clouston Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the property manager is unable to provide the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

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

It is crucial to note that landlords who manage multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given only for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have an home inspection performed for your rental property.

Find the full information on details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households from New Zealand and Clouston Park, and research indicates that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating and have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four key house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Clouston Park rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and living because of illnesses. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping for Clouston Park rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss getting a Clouston Park Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Clouston Park

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside households. A cold home costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a hole or gap and you can feel it, it’s likely to be a gap or hole which needs sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within the house require sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as imaginable.

There is no need to block off gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement within the building when the household is heated and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will test all 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.

A good heating system is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Clouston Park

Clouston Park rental properties require a reliable source of heat that can heat the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), then it must have an thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like the heat pump, it might just require an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Clouston Park

Every living space of a rental home must contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation standard is about recognising the fact that dry air is more easy to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position of opening to the outside while remaining at an open angle in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your property with shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture generating item will require appropriate extractor fans that vent out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Clouston Park

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory for all rent houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure the insulation meets the new quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, as well as making it easier for the home to retain heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

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

Clouston Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water, and also stop it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s typically those things that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem and cause damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of this 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 through Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Clouston Park include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Clouston Park for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to check during an home assessment to see if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the Tenancy services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice, call today to book your rental property home assessment.