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? Landlords are now required to 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 rental properties are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks which requirements to be done, and provide an assessment report that includes 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 breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, and are completely qualified for 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 have to be done within 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be current when the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be kept updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It is crucial to remember that landlords with multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct a home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Clouston Park, and research indicates that rental homes are likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than the homes of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who reported at least four major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Clouston Park rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping in Clouston Park rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about receiving a 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 damp home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the air is clear from a gap or hole and you are able to feel it, it is likely a crack or hole that needs sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into your house need sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no need to block off holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement within the building as the house heats and cools, so that they are able to be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will test every window and door in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Clouston Park

Clouston Park rental properties require a reliable source of heating that is able to heat the main or largest living space to at least 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump, then it must include the thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source such as a heat pump, then it could need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality because they’re costly, not affordable to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Clouston Park

Every living space in a rental property has to have at least one opening door or window to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

The ventilation standard is about recognising it is that dry air is easier to heat and that a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable and are not need an opening window or door.

Every window, door or the skylight requirements to be able open to the outside and remain closed, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your property with a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture generating item will require proper extractor fan systems that vent to the outdoors. 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 high moisture areas.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Clouston Park

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement to all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation meets current quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and also makes more easy for the household to hold heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 quality.

Clouston Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and stop it from coming into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s usually those things that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue, causing the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to remove rainwater, storm water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water is able to go, and it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between the floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from entering the building. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

See the full details of this 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 with the Healthy Homes Standards in Clouston Park include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Clouston Park for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to check when conducting a home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice, call today to book your rental properties home evaluation.