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 ensure their Clouston Park rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects 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 if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks required. requirements to be done and provide an evaluation report with 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 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 $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties and are fully 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, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Clouston Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be taken care of within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out It could also be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that landlords with multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and request an home assessment done for your rental property.

Find the full information on this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Clouston Park, and research suggests that rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative health results, specifically for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who experience four or more key house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the quality of Clouston Park rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to illness. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

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

Contact us now to discuss getting a 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 humid home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or crack that needs sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out from your home need the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as much as imaginable.

You don’t require to block off holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement within the building as the household heats and cools, in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will test every window and door as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Clouston Park

Clouston Park rental properties should have a permanent source of heat which can warm the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump it needs to be equipped with the thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source like an air conditioner, it may need an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Clouston Park

Every living space in the rental property should have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

A ventilation standard is all about recognising that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore do not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or skylight requirements to be able of opening to the outside while remaining set in an opening position to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your house that houses shower, bath cooker or any other humidity-generating items will require adequate extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Clouston Park

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required on all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure the insulation meets the 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 properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and it will make an easier task for the home to keep warmth.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest area of 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

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

Clouston Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is typically not apparent that it can become a big problem that can cause damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water is able to go, and it can’t linger underneath the structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from rising into the property. It also helps prevent any damage to your 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

The areas of rental property that are affected by Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Clouston Park include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Clouston Park for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to look over when conducting a house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental property home assessment.