Healthy Homes Assessment Clouston Park

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure that their Clouston Park rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be completely 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 your rental property and determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks that requirements to be done and provide the report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in 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 healthy homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, as well as completely 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 or renewed contract is signed on a Clouston Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be completed by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new or renewed lease is entered into on a Clouston Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days of being informed of the request, they may be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be kept updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that landlords who have several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for the most serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and make arrangements to have an home assessment done for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

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

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative health results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who reported at least four major housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Improve the quality of Clouston Park rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and living due to illness. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which results in lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping within 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 increase the likelihood of less temperature in homes. A humid house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or a clear draught from a gap or hole and you can feel it, it’s likely a crack or hole which needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out from your home require sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as far as imaginable.

You don’t require to block up intentional gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for the movement of the building as the house is heated and cools so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will examine all windows and doors as part of 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 for healthy houses

Heating Clouston Park

Rental properties in Clouston Park need to have a stable source of heating that can warm the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the existing installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it needs to have a thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source like an air conditioner, it may require an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Clouston Park

Every living space of a rental home must have at least one opening doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

A ventilation quality is about recognising how dry air will be much easier to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your house that houses a bath, shower cooker or any other water-generating appliance will require proper extractor fan systems that can be vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Clouston Park

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required on all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure the insulation meets current quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and it will make an easier task to allow the home to retain warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Clouston Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water, and stop it from coming inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is usually the concerns you don’t notice that could become a major issue that can cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

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

Ground moisture barriers are typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from entering the property. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Clouston Park

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Clouston Park for Rental Properties

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

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property home assessment.