Healthy Homes Assessment Clouston Park

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure that their Clouston Park rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered in 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 standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about any work that needs to be completed and provide an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, we are fully qualified to assess each of 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, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Clouston Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be taken care of within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they may be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed. It must be updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It is also important to keep in mind that landlords with several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct a house evaluation performed on 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 suggests that rental homes are likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who experience at least four major housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Clouston Park rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of health issues. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control on Clouston Park rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Clouston Park

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A humid house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole or crack, then it is probably a gap or an opening that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out from your home need the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

There is no require to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for the movement of the building when the household is heated and cools to allow them to be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will check every window and door during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Clouston Park

Clouston Park rental properties should have a permanent source of heating that can warm the main or largest living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. 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) and at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it must be equipped with a thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source such as heat pumps, it might require a top up to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Clouston Park

Every living space of a rental property has to contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about understanding the fact that dried air can be more easy to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or skylight needs at least to open up to the outside, but remain set in an opening position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your home with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will require suitable extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

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

A dry and warm home is an ideal home

Insulation Clouston Park

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement to all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation meets the new quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, as well as making much easier to allow the home to hold heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest part 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 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Clouston Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow and stop it from coming inside. When it is about damp and water, it is frequently not apparent that it could be a huge problem, causing damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to have efficient drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that 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.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from accumulating 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

Rental property areas affected to Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Clouston Park include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Clouston Park for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to be able to examine during a home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For professional advice, call today to schedule your rental properties home evaluation.