Healthy Homes Assessment Clouston Park

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure 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 in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks needed to be completed. needs to be completed, and provide the report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes connected fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, as well as completely qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Clouston Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be done by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied 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 any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It’s crucial to be aware that landlords who own several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for serious violations. Those who have 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, and result in huge fines, in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct a home inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Clouston Park, and research shows us that these rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who experience at least four key house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Improve the standard of Clouston Park rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and living because of illness. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means lower 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, and Draught-stopping in Clouston Park rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about the Clouston Park Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Clouston Park

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside homes. A damp house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a crack or a gap and you can feel it, it is likely to be a gap or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out into your home require sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as possible.

There is no require to block holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure as the home warms and cools in order to let them be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect every window and door during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Clouston Park

Rental properties in Clouston Park must have a fixed source of heat that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to top up by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump it should be equipped with the thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. In most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as an air conditioner, it may require some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Clouston Park

Each living space within a rental property has to contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

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

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

Every window, door or Skylight needs to have the ability open to the outside, but remain at an open angle in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your property with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will need proper extractor fan systems that can be vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Clouston Park

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required to all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation is up to the new standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness as well as making much easier to the house to hold heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of the 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 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 dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow, and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s usually those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem, causing damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from getting into the property. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Clouston Park

Property rental areas that are affected with Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Clouston Park include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Clouston Park for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to look over in an home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenant services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today to book your rental property home evaluation.