Healthy Homes Assessment Clouston Park

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Clouston Park rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of any work required. requirements to be completed and offer an assessment report that includes all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes associated fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re completely qualified for 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, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Clouston Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be done within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they could receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and must be updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s important to keep in mind that landlords with several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved only for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have an house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Clouston Park, and research suggests that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who report four or more key house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Improving the quality of Clouston Park rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living due to diseases. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping in Clouston Park rental properties.

Start now and call about receiving a Clouston Park Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Clouston Park

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside households. A cold home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap and you can feel it, it is likely to be a gap or crack that requirements sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of the house need sealing. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched as much as possible.

You don’t require to block holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow movement of the structure as the home warms and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than securing. We will examine every window and door during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Clouston Park

Rental properties in Clouston Park should have a permanent source of heat which can warm the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature 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 minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if your current fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat source, it must have a thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a central heating source, such as the heat pump, it could require an upgrade to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Clouston Park

Every living space in the rental property should include at least one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation standard is all about acknowledging that dried air can be less difficult to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, 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 need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or skylight needs to be able of opening to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your house that houses a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will need appropriate extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. 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 areas of high moisture.

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

A dry and warm home is a healthy home

Insulation Clouston Park

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required on all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and also makes an easier task to allow the house to retain warmth.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 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, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Clouston Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move, and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is often those things that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem and cause the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to have effective drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between your flooring and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from getting into the home. It also helps prevent any damage to your 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 to Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Clouston Park include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Clouston Park for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to be able to examine during the house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an Tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional advice, call today and book your rental properties home assessment.