Healthy Homes Assessment Clouston Park

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must make sure that their Clouston Park rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be done, and offer an evaluation report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, and are completely certified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Clouston Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be done inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current when the tenancy contract is signed. It must be updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It is crucial to be aware that landlords with multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for the most serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct an home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Clouston Park, and research has shown that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating and tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who report four or more major house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Clouston Park rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of health issues. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping in Clouston Park rental properties.

Begin now by calling 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 lower temperatures in houses. A cold home will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap, then it’s probably a gap or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out within your house need seals. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure as the household warms and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will check all doors and windows as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Clouston Park

Rental properties in Clouston Park should have a permanent source of heating which can warm the living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the current fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top-up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it should include an thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source, like heat pumps, it might need an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Clouston Park

Each liveable space in the rental property should have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about acknowledging that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or the skylight needs at least to open to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your home that has a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will need suitable extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is a healthy house

Insulation Clouston Park

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement for all rent houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation is up to this new quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and also makes an easier task for the home to keep the heat.

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

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 higher the quality of insulation.

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

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Clouston Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the inside It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go and stop it from coming into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s frequently what you don’t see that could be a huge problem and cause damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Find out all the details of 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 through Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Clouston Park include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Clouston Park for Rental Properties

There are many things you should look for in a home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental properties home assessment.