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 of July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure their Clouston Park rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals 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 can evaluate your rental property to check 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 needed to be completed. requirements to be completed, and provide a 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 landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties and are fully qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6792

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Clouston Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on the Clouston Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the property manager is unable to provide the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it must be updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It is crucial to be aware that a landlord with multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given only for serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and request an home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households rent the property in New Zealand and Clouston Park, and research shows us that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who report at least four key house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Clouston Park rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and living because of illness. Your investment is also 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, and Draught stopping on Clouston Park rental properties.

Start now and call about getting a Clouston Park Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Clouston Park

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within homes. A humid house costs more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the air is clear out of a hole or gap and you can feel it, it is likely a crack or an opening that needs sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out within your home require the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as far as imaginable.

There is no require to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement of the building when the household heats and cools, so that they can still be opened and closed rather than securing. We will examine all windows and doors as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Clouston Park

Clouston Park rental properties require a reliable source of heating that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living room 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 health and mental outlook.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it must be equipped with a thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source, such as an air conditioner, it may need an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Clouston Park

Every living space of a rental property must include at least one open window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation quality is about recognising that dry air will be less difficult to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and do not need an opening window or door.

Every window, door or Skylight requirements to have the ability to open up to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your property with shower, bath and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will require appropriate extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Clouston Park

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement in all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation meets this new standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, as well as making much easier to allow the household to keep heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 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 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Clouston Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s usually the concerns you don’t notice that could become a major issue and end up causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to have effective drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a proper place to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from entering the structure. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Clouston Park

Rental property areas affected with Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Clouston Park include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Clouston Park for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to check in an home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For expert advice, call today to schedule your rental property house evaluation.