Healthy Homes Assessment Clouston Park

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Clouston Park rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed 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 will evaluate your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work required. needs to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes connected fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties and are fully certified to evaluate 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, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Clouston Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be finished within 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it must be updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It’s important to be aware that landlords with multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and arrange to have an house inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households rent homes in New Zealand and Clouston Park, and research has shown that these rental houses tend to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who report at least four key house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Improving the quality of Clouston Park rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to health issues. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which results in lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping for Clouston Park rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Clouston Park

Draughts can lead to less temperature in homes. A cold home will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap, then it’s likely to be a gap or crack that needs sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out within the house need the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t require to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow movement of the structure as the household is heated and cools to allow them to be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will check every window and door as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Clouston Park

Clouston Park rental properties require a reliable heating source that is able to heat the living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the existing fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it requirements to include the thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source, like a heat pump, then it could require an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the quality as they are either costly, not affordable to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Clouston Park

Each living space within the rental property should have at least one opening window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about recognising it is that dry air is much easier to heat and that a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore don’t require an opening window or door.

Each door, window or skylight needs to be able of opening to the outside, but remain closed in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your home that has a bath, shower cooker or any other water-generating appliance will require appropriate extractor fans that vent towards the outside. We offer a 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 in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Clouston Park

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, 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 help control condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, as well as making much easier for the household to hold the heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Clouston Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the inside it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go and stop it from coming into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s usually not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble and cause damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from rising into the home. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Clouston Park

Property rental areas that are affected to Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Clouston Park include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Clouston Park for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to check in the home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenant services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental property house evaluation.