Healthy Homes Assessment Clouston Park

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

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

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

We can assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about the work required. requirements to be done, and provide a report with all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re fully qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

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 work have to be finished within 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant can be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out, so it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it must be updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It’s also important to keep in mind that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are given only for serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and request an house assessment performed on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

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

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who reported at least four key issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Improve the standard of Clouston Park rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of illness. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping on Clouston Park rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Clouston Park Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Clouston Park

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within households. A damp home costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap and you can feel it, it is probably a gap or hole which needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out within your home need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no need to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for the movement of the building when the house gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will test all doors and windows during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Clouston Park

Clouston Park rental properties must have a fixed source of heat that can heat the living space to at least 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the current fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it should have an thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source, such as an air conditioner, it might require some additional energy to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the standard since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Clouston Park

Each living space within a rental property must contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

A ventilation quality is about recognising that dry air is easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t liveable and therefore do not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or the skylight needs at least to open to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your home with shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will require proper extractor fan systems that can be vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Clouston Park

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation is up to the new quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and also makes an easier task for the home to hold heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, 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 (underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Clouston Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is frequently not apparent that it could be a huge problem and cause damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to remove rainwater, storm water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from entering the building. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

See the full 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 by The Healthy Homes Standard in Clouston Park include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Clouston Park for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns you should look for in an home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional advice get in touch today to book your rental property house evaluation.