Healthy Homes Assessment Clouston Park

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to check whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work needed to be completed. needs to be done, and offer a report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors for rental properties, as well as completely qualified 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, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Clouston Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be finished inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed lease is entered into on a Clouston Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they could be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as the person who is letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It is also crucial to keep in mind that landlords who own multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and request a house assessment done on your rental property.

See the full details for this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households rent homes in New Zealand and Clouston Park, and research shows us that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than the houses of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative health results, specifically for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who report at least four major issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Improve the quality of Clouston Park rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of health issues. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs 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 in Clouston Park rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Clouston Park

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in homes. A cold home is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting money and energy.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the air is clear from a crack or a gap that is, it is likely to be a gap or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out from the home need to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as far as imaginable.

There is no need to block gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement within the building when the home warms and cools to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will test the windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Clouston Park

Clouston Park rental properties require a reliable source of heating that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether your current permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it should have an thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source like a heat pump, then it might just need an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Clouston Park

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

This ventilation standard is all about recognising that dry air will be more easy to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered liveable and don’t require an opening window or door.

Each window, door or skylight needs to have the ability of opening to the outside and remain at an open angle in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will need proper extractor fan systems that can be vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Clouston Park

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to 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 might need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and will also make it easier for the house to hold warmth.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Clouston Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s usually what you don’t see that can become a big problem, causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to remove storm water, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the 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

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Clouston Park for Rental Properties

There are many concerns you should look for during a home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a Tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional advice, call today to book your rental properties house evaluation.