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 make sure their Clouston Park rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully 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 if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks needed to be completed. needs to be done and provide the report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’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 to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re completely certified to evaluate each of 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 for a Clouston Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be finished within 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they may be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It is crucial to remember that a landlord who own several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down only for serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and request an house evaluation performed for your rental property.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Clouston Park, and research has shown that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as heart diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four key house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Improving the quality of Clouston Park rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and living because of health issues. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control in Clouston Park rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Clouston Park

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in homes. A draughty home costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap that is, it is most likely a gap or hole that needs sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out from the home need to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as far as imaginable.

There is no require to block holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow movement of the structure when the house gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will test the windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Clouston Park

Rental properties in Clouston Park must have a fixed source of heat that can warm the largest or main living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it should include an thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source, like a heat pump, then it may need a top up to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Clouston Park

Each liveable space in a rental property has to have at least one opening doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about acknowledging how dried air can be more easy to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or Skylight needs to be able open to the outside and remain set in an opening position in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your property with shower, bath, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will require suitable extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Clouston Park

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory in all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation is up to the new quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, as well as making an easier task for the house to retain heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.

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

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Clouston Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is typically not apparent that it could be a huge problem and end up causing damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a location to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from getting into the structure. 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

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

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Clouston Park for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to be able to examine when conducting a home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the Tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For professional advice, call today to book your rental properties home evaluation.