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 ensure that their Clouston Park rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks that needs to be completed, and offer the report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under 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 relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties and are completely certified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

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

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property, so it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it is updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It’s important to remember that landlords who manage several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for severe breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and make arrangements to have a home assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Clouston Park, and research suggests that rental homes are likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than the houses of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who experience at least four key issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the quality of Clouston Park rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught stopping for Clouston Park rental properties.

Begin now by calling about receiving a Clouston Park Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Clouston Park

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

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap, then it is most likely a gap or crack that requirements sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit into your house need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as far as possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement within the structure when the household warms and cools to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will test every window and door in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Clouston Park

Clouston Park rental properties need to have a stable source of heat that can heat the living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if your current permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to top up by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, then it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source like heat pumps, it could require some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Clouston Park

Each liveable space in the rental property should contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

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

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

Each window, door or skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open up to the outside, and stay closed, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your home that has a bath, shower cooker or any other humidity-generating items will need proper extractor fan systems that are vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Clouston Park

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory for all rent houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is up to current quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and will also make it easier to allow the household to keep the heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 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 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Clouston Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is often not apparent that it could be a huge problem and cause damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to have efficient drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water is able to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from entering the property. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of 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 Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Clouston Park include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Clouston Park for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to be able to examine during a house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert advice, call today to schedule your rental properties house assessment.