Healthy Homes Assessment Clouston Park

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 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 rentals must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check 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 any work needed to be completed. requirements to be completed, and provide an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, and are completely qualified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Clouston Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be done by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Clouston Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they may be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It must be updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It is also important to keep in mind that landlords who have multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down only for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have an house assessment done on your rental property.

See the full details for the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Clouston Park, and research suggests that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Additionally, those who have reported four or more major issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

The improvement in the standard of Clouston Park rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and living because of health issues. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping for Clouston Park rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Clouston Park

Draughts can lead to less temperature in households. A draughty house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap that is, it is probably a gap or hole which needs sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit of the house require sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

There is no need to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement of the structure when the home warms and cools in order to let them be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will check all windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Clouston Park

Clouston Park rental properties need to have a stable source of heat which can warm the living space to at least 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it needs to be equipped with the thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source like the heat pump, it may require a top up to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality as they are either costly, not affordable to run, or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Clouston Park

Each living space within a rental property has to have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

It is the ventilation quality is about recognising how the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable and don’t require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or skylight requirements to have the ability open to the outside, and stay closed, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your house that houses shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will need appropriate extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Clouston Park

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory on all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation is in line with the new quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and also makes it easier to the household to hold warmth.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of 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, underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Clouston Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s usually not apparent that it can become a big problem and cause damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a location to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from entering the property. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Clouston Park

Property rental areas that are affected with Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Clouston Park include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Clouston Park for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to check in the home review to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental properties home assessment.