Healthy Homes Assessment Clouston Park

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must make sure that their Clouston Park rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must 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 evaluate your rental property to check whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks which requirements to be done, and offer an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes associated fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re completely qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Clouston Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be completed by the end of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It is updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It is also crucial to remember that a landlord who have multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and arrange to have a house assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Clouston Park, and research suggests that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who have reported at least four major housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Improve the quality of Clouston Park rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to health issues. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping in Clouston Park rental properties.

Begin now by calling about getting a Clouston Park Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Draught Stopping Clouston Park

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in houses. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the air is clear from a gap or hole, then it is most likely a gap or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out of your home require sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as far as possible.

You don’t need to block holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the building as the home heats and cools, so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will test all windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Heating Clouston Park

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

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current fix 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 small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it requirements to have an thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as a heat pump, then it might just need some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Clouston Park

Every living space in a rental home must contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation quality is about recognising it is that dry air will be easier to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or skylight needs for them to be in a position of opening to the outside and remain fixed in an open position in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your home that has a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will need adequate extractor fans that vent to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

Insulation Clouston Park

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required to all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation meets current quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and will also make an easier task for the house to retain warmth.

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

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

• Zone 1 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Clouston Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go and prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is frequently the things you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the property. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Rental Property Home Assessments Clouston Park

Property rental areas that are affected by the Healthy Homes Standards in Clouston Park include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Home Assessments Clouston Park for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to be able to examine when conducting an home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today to book your rental properties home assessment.