Healthy Homes Assessment Clouston Park

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure that 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 are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work needed to be completed. requirements to be completed and offer an assessment report that includes all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

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

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Clouston Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be finished by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as being the person who is letting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is crucial to note that a landlord who own multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have an house assessment done for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Clouston Park, and research has shown that these rental homes tend to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who experience at least four key home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Clouston Park rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which results in less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping on Clouston Park rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about getting a Clouston Park Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Clouston Park

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in households. A draughty house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or hole which needs sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out of your home require seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever imaginable.

There is no require to block holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow movement of the structure when the home heats and cools, to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will examine all windows and doors in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for well-being houses

Heating Clouston Park

Rental properties in Clouston Park need to have a stable source of heating that is able to heat the main or largest living space to at least 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to top up with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it requirements to be equipped with an thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a central heating source like heat pumps, it may require an upgrade to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

Check out the complete details on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Clouston Park

Every living space of a rental home must have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

A ventilation quality is all about recognising that dried air can be much easier to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or the skylight requirements to be able open to the outside while remaining set in an opening position, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your property with shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will need adequate extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is an ideal home

Insulation Clouston Park

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required in all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation is in line with this new quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, as well as making much easier to the home to keep warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of the 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 the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Clouston Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the inside; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow and stop it from coming inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s usually those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem and end up causing the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

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

A ground moisture barrier is usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the building. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Clouston Park

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to the Healthy Homes Standards in Clouston Park include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Clouston Park for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to look over when conducting a house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

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

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an ruling on tenancy services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional advice get in touch now and schedule your rental properties house assessment.