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 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 assess your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work that requirements to be done, and provide an evaluation report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes connected fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties as well as completely qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Clouston Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It is important to note that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have a house assessment performed on your rental property.

Find the full information on details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households from New Zealand and Clouston Park, and research shows us that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Additionally, those who have reported at least four major housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Clouston Park rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to illness. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Stopping for Clouston Park rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Clouston Park

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside households. A humid home will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the air is clear from a gap or hole that is, it’s probably a gap or crack that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out within your home need seals. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

You don’t require to block off gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement of the structure as the house heats and cools, so that they can still be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will test all doors and windows as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Clouston Park

Rental properties in Clouston Park need to have a stable source of heat that can heat the living space to at least 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether your current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as a heat pump, then it may require an update to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Clouston Park

Every living space of a rental property has to contain at minimum one open door or window to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

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

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t liveable and don’t need an opening window or door.

Every window, door or skylight needs to have the ability to open up to the outside, and stay at an open angle 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 or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will need proper extractor fan systems that are vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate 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 comfortable, dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Clouston Park

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory to all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness as well as making more easy for the household to retain the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Clouston Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s typically those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem and cause damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between your floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from entering the building. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Clouston Park

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

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Clouston Park for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to check during the house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the ruling on tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today to book your rental property house assessment.