Healthy Homes Assessment Clouston Park

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure that their Clouston Park rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work required. needs to be done, and provide an evaluation report with all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, as well as completely certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Clouston Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be done within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Clouston Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they will receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

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

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct when the tenancy contract is executed, and it should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It’s crucial to be aware that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct a house assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households rent the property in New Zealand and Clouston Park, and research indicates that rental houses are likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than the houses of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as heart diseases. Furthermore, people who reported four or more major issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Improving the standard of Clouston Park rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of 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 as Draught Control within Clouston Park rental properties.

Start now and call 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 low temperatures inside homes. A draughty house costs more to heat, which results in wasting money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or hole which needs sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into your house require seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched whenever possible.

You don’t need to block off gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for the movement of the structure when the home warms and cools so that they can still be closed and opened rather than securing. We will test all windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is important for healthy houses

Heating Clouston Park

Clouston Park rental properties need to have a stable heating source that is able to heat the main or largest living space to at least 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to top up with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under 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 your heating more consistent and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a central heating source like the heat pump, it might need an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the standard since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Clouston Park

Each living space within a rental property has to have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about understanding it is that dried air can be easier to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position of opening to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your house that houses shower, bath cooker or any other moisture generating item will need adequate extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

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

A cozy dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Clouston Park

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required for all rent houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation is in line with current standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might need to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and it will make more easy for the household to keep the heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of the 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 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 the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is typically those things that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem, causing damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water is able to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of 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 The Healthy Homes Standard in Clouston Park include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Clouston Park for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns you should look for when conducting the house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today and book your rental property home evaluation.