Healthy Homes Assessment Clouston Park

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that 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 are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work that requirements to be completed, and provide the report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, we are fully certified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

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

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out which could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It is important to be aware that landlords with multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for the most serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have a house assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Clouston Park, and research indicates that rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Clouston Park rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and living due to illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control within Clouston Park rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Clouston Park

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in households. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the air is clear from a gap or hole and you can feel it, it is likely a crack or hole which needs sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out from your house require to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever imaginable.

There is no require to block off holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for the movement of the building when the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will test all windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for healthy homes

Heating Clouston Park

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

The source of heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if your current fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump, then it must include an thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a central heating source, such as an air conditioner, it may need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Clouston Park

Each liveable space in the rental property should have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about understanding it is that dry air is much easier to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore are not require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or skylight needs at least of opening to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your house that houses a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture-producing item will require proper extractor fan systems that vent to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is a healthy house

Insulation Clouston Park

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory to all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation meets current standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and also makes much easier to allow the household to keep warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet 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 higher the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest 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 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Clouston Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water and also stop it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s typically the things you don’t notice that can become a big problem, causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to remove storm water, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a location to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Find out all the details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Clouston Park

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Clouston Park include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Clouston Park for Rental Properties

There are many things to be able to examine when conducting the house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For expert advice, call today to book your rental property house evaluation.