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 effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords must make sure that their Clouston Park rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about any work that requirements to be completed, and provide the report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors for rental properties, and are completely certified to assess both 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, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Clouston Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be completed inside of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they could receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as being the person leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It is also crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given only for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have a house evaluation performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households from New Zealand and Clouston Park, and research suggests that rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative health results, specifically for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who reported at least four key issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower 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 disturbance to learning, work and living due to illnesses. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping in Clouston Park rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Clouston Park

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in houses. A damp home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a hole or gap or crack, then it is most likely a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out of the house need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as much as imaginable.

There is no need to block off holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement of the structure as the house is heated and cools so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will examine all windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Clouston Park

Rental properties in Clouston Park require a reliable source of heating that can heat the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump, then it must have the thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source such as a heat pump, then it may require an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Clouston Park

Each liveable space in a rental property has to have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about recognising the fact that dry air is less difficult to heat and that a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable and therefore do not need an opening door or window.

Every window, door or the skylight requirements to be able to open to the outside, and stay closed to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your home with shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture generating item will require appropriate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Clouston Park

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory to all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, as well as making much easier to allow the home to keep warmth.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all area 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 (underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Clouston Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow and stop it from coming inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is often what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble and cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to have effective drainage to remove rainwater, storm water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from rising into the building. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Clouston Park

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Clouston Park for Rental Properties

There are many things you should look for in an house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental property home evaluation.