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 effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure 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 are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

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

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be completed, and provide the report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’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 complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes connected fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re completely certified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6792

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Clouston Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be done by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is named on the lease contract as the person renting the property which could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It is also important to keep in mind that landlords who have multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for the most serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have an home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Clouston Park, and research shows us that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Furthermore, people who report four or more key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improve the quality of Clouston Park rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to health issues. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping in Clouston Park rental properties.

Begin now by calling about having a Clouston Park Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Clouston Park

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in households. A humid home costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a gap or hole and you are able to feel it, it is probably a gap or crack that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out of the home need seals. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated whenever possible.

There is no need to block holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow movement of the building as the home warms and cools in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will inspect all windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for well-being homes

Heating Clouston Park

Rental properties in Clouston Park need to have a stable heating source which can warm the largest or main living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if your current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to top up with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it needs to be equipped with the thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, like heat pumps, it could require some additional energy to ensure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the quality as they are either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Clouston Park

Every living space of a rental property must have at least one openable door or window to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about understanding how the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable and are not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or skylight needs at least to open up to the outside while remaining set in an opening position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your property with a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture generating item will require adequate extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Find out all the details about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Clouston Park

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement for all rent homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation meets this new standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and it will make much easier to allow the household to retain heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Clouston Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move and also stop it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is typically what you don’t see that could become a major issue that can cause damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from entering the property. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor 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

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

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Clouston Park for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to be able to examine during an home assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a tenant solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice, call now and schedule your rental properties home assessment.