Healthy Homes Assessment Clouston Park

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must make sure 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 must be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

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

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

We will assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks which requirements to be completed and provide an assessment report that includes all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes relevant fines.

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

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

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

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the property manager does not supply the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It is important to be aware that a landlord who have several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given only for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have an home assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

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 most likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and have lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four major house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Clouston Park rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and living because of health issues. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught stopping in 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 may lead to less temperature in houses. A humid house costs more to heat, which results in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a crack or a gap, then it is likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out of your house require sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement of the building as the home gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be opened and closed rather than securing. We will inspect the windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Clouston Park

Rental properties in Clouston Park need to have a stable source of heat that can heat the{ main or largest|| largest or main| principal or the biggest} living space to at least 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to top up by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, then it must be equipped with the thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source like an air conditioner, it could need an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Clouston Park

Every living space in a rental property has to include at least one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about recognising the fact that dry air is more easy to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or Skylight needs to have the ability to open up to the outside while remaining set in an opening position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will need proper extractor fan systems that can be vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Clouston Park

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory in all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation meets the new standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and it will make much easier to allow the household to keep the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values of your area.

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Clouston Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow and prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is usually those things that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem, causing damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Clouston Park

The areas of rental property that are affected to the Healthy Homes Standards in Clouston Park include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Clouston Park for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to be able to examine during a house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a Tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For professional advice, call today to book your rental property home assessment.