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 ensure that their Clouston Park rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks which requirements to be completed, and offer an assessment report that includes all the information needed for 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 found to not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors for rental properties, and are completely certified for 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 contract is signed on a Clouston Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 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.

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out 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 correct before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it is finished.

It is also important to remember that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with large fines in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a home assessment done for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households in New Zealand and Clouston Park, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally have lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative health results, specifically for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who reported at least four major issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the quality of Clouston Park rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living due to illness. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught-stopping on 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 are a major cause of low temperatures inside households. A cold house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a hole or gap, then it is likely to be a gap or hole that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within your house require sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched as much as imaginable.

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

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Clouston Park

Clouston Park rental properties need to have a stable source of heat which can warm the living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it should be equipped with a thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as the heat pump, it may require an update to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the quality because they’re expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Clouston Park

Every living space in a rental house must contain at minimum one open doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

The ventilation standard is all about understanding it is that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t liveable , and thus are not need an opening door or window.

Every window, door or Skylight needs to be able of opening to the outside and remain fixed in an open position, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your home with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Clouston Park

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory on all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation is in line with this new quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, as well as making it easier to the home to keep warmth.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9, 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

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Clouston Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move and stop it from coming into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is usually what you don’t see that could become a major issue and end up causing damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to have efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between the floor and the ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the structure. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Find out all the 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 through The Healthy Homes Standard in Clouston Park include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Clouston Park for Rental Properties

There are many things to look over when conducting a home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an Tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental property house evaluation.