Healthy Homes Assessment Clouston Park

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure 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 rental properties must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks that requirements to be done, and provide an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, as well as completely qualified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Clouston Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be completed within 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

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

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is executed, and it should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It’s crucial to be aware that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for the most serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct a home assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households the property in New Zealand and Clouston Park, and research suggests that rental houses tend to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who report at least four major home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Improve the standard of Clouston Park rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and living due to health issues. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum requirements 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 now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Clouston Park

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside houses. A damp home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a gap or hole or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or crack that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out of your house require seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as possible.

You don’t require to block holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow movement of the building as the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will examine the windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Clouston Park

Rental properties in Clouston Park need to have a stable heating source that can warm the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The heating source needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must have the thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like small apartments an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a central heating source, such as the heat pump, it might just require a top up to make sure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Clouston Park

Every living space in a rental property has to have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about recognising it is that dry air is much easier to heat and a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t living spaces and therefore do not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open up to the outside, and stay at an open angle in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your property with shower, bath, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will need appropriate extractor fans that vent out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Clouston Park

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory in all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure the insulation meets current quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor 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 dampness, and also makes more easy for the home to retain heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

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

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

Clouston Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s usually those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem, causing damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from entering the home. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Clouston Park

The areas of rental property that are affected by Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Clouston Park include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Clouston Park for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to check when conducting a home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an Tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For professional advice, call now and schedule your rental property house evaluation.