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 a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in 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 satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work needed to be completed. requirements to be completed and offer the report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes connected fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties we 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

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

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

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant can be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property which could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that landlords with several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are handed down only for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in large fines in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and request a home inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Clouston Park, and research shows us that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and are of lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative well-being results, specifically for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four key home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Improve the standard of Clouston Park rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and living due to illnesses. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control for Clouston Park rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Clouston Park

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within homes. A cold house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole, then it is most likely a gap or hole that needs sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of the home need sealing. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped whenever possible.

You don’t need to block off holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement of the structure when the household is heated and cools to allow them to be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect every window and door in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Clouston Park

Clouston Park rental properties must have a fixed heating source which can warm the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether your current fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump, then it must have an thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source, such as an air conditioner, it may require an update to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the standard as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Clouston Park

Every living space of a rental property has to include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about acknowledging that dry air will be less difficult to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements to have the ability of opening to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will need adequate extractor fans which are vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Clouston Park

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory for all rent homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure the insulation meets current quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and it will make an easier task for the household to keep the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the quality of 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, underfloor 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

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

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 but you must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s typically what you don’t see that can become a big problem, causing the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to have effective drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the home. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Find out all the 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 with Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Clouston Park include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Clouston Park for Rental Properties

There are many things you should look for during an house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to book your rental properties home assessment.