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 must make sure that their Clouston Park rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties are required to 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 and determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about the work needed to be completed. requirements to be completed and offer a report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes associated fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re fully qualified 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, if a 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.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on the Clouston Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed 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. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised 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 property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

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

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It is crucial to remember that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and request an home assessment performed for your rental property.

Get the full description of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households homes in New Zealand and Clouston Park, and research has shown that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and have lower quality than the houses of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative health results, specifically for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who reported at least four key issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the quality of Clouston Park rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and daily life because of diseases. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control on Clouston Park rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss the Clouston Park Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Clouston Park

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside houses. A damp house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap, then it’s likely to be a gap or hole which requirements sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of your house need sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as possible.

You don’t need to block off holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement of the structure as the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will examine the windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Clouston Park

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

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to top up with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump then it must include an thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a central heating source, like heat pumps, it might need a top up to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Clouston Park

Every living space of a rental home must include at least one open window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about acknowledging how dried air can be more easy to heat and that a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or skylight requirements to have the ability open to the outside and remain at an open angle in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your home with shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will require adequate extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. Our 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 high moisture areas.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Clouston Park

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory to all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and it will make an easier task to allow the household to hold heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation is able to resist 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 – all of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Clouston Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water and prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s frequently those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and the ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from rising into the building. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Find out all the details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Clouston Park

Rental property areas affected with the Healthy Homes Standard in Clouston Park include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Clouston Park for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to look over during a home review to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a Tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert guidance, contact us today and book your rental properties house assessment.