Healthy Homes Assessment Clouston Park

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that 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 any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

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

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

We can assess your rental property and determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks that requirements to be done and provide a report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, and are fully qualified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Clouston Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Clouston Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct when the tenancy agreement is signed. It is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s important to keep in mind that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved only for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and request a house assessment performed on your rental property.

Find the full information on this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households from New Zealand and Clouston Park, and research has shown that these rental homes tend to be colder, older and have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than the houses of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who have reported four or more key home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Improve the quality of Clouston Park rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of illness. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning less costs of 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, as well Draught Control within Clouston Park rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss having a Clouston Park Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Clouston Park

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in households. A damp house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a gap or hole that is, it is probably a gap or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out of the house require sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent possible.

There is no require to block off holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement within the structure when the home heats and cools, in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will examine all doors and windows in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Clouston Park

Clouston Park rental properties should have a permanent source of heating which can warm the{ main or largest|| largest or main| principal or the biggest} living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), then it must be equipped with the thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like an air conditioner, it might just need an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the quality since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Clouston Park

Each living space within a rental property must have at least one opening door or window to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about recognising it is that dry air is less difficult to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not living spaces and therefore do not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or the skylight requirements to be able open to the outside and remain closed to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your property with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will need suitable extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is an ideal house

Insulation Clouston Park

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required in all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation meets the new standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and also makes more easy for the house to keep warmth.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the standard of 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 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Clouston Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow, and stop it from coming into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s usually those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to be equipped with efficient drainage to remove rainwater, storm water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from rising into the building. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about The 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 with The Healthy Homes Standards in Clouston Park include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Clouston Park for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to be able to examine in the house review to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenant solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental properties home evaluation.