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 must ensure 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 must be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be done and offer the report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’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 complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes associated fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, as well as fully qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Clouston Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant will be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of as much as $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 who is responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person 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 at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It is crucial to note that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for severe breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and arrange to have a home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households from New Zealand and Clouston Park, and research shows us that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who experience four or more key house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

The improvement in the standard of Clouston Park rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of diseases. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control on Clouston Park rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about the Clouston Park Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Clouston Park

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within homes. A damp home will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole or crack, then it is likely a crack or crack that needs sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out of your house need sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent possible.

There is no require to block gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the building as the household heats and cools, to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will test all doors and windows in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for well-being houses

Heating Clouston Park

Rental properties in Clouston Park should have a permanent source of heating that can heat the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current fixed 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 the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it requirements to be equipped with an thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as heat pumps, it might require a top up to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Clouston Park

Every living space in a rental property must contain at minimum one open doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation quality is about recognising the fact that dried air can be easier to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t liveable and therefore don’t need an opening window or door.

Every window, door or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open to the outside and remain set in an opening position in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your house that houses shower, bath cooker or any other moisture generating item will need appropriate extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Clouston Park

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement on all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation is in line with this new standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and will also make it easier for the household to retain heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values required for your area

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

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

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

Clouston Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the inside; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s frequently those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem and end up causing damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the property. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Learn more about 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 Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Clouston Park include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Clouston Park for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to look over in an home assessment to see if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the Tenancy services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today and book your rental properties home assessment.