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 any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work that requirements to be completed, and provide the report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties we are completely qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6792

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Clouston Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be finished by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a 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 within the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is completed, and should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s important to remember that landlords who manage multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have a home assessment done on your rental property.

See the full details for details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Clouston Park, and research indicates that rental homes are likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and are of lower quality than the homes of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

The improvement in the quality of Clouston Park rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control on Clouston Park rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Clouston Park

Draughts may lead to less temperature in houses. A damp house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a gap or hole that is, it’s likely a crack or crack that needs sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out into the home need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

There is no require to block off gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the household gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will test every window and door during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Clouston Park

Rental properties in Clouston Park should have a permanent source of heating that can heat the living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, then it must include a thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. In most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as an air conditioner, it may need an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

Check out the complete details for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Clouston Park

Each living space within a rental home must contain at minimum one open door or window to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about acknowledging it is that dried air can be more easy to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not living spaces and therefore don’t require an opening window or door.

Each window, door or skylight needs for them to be in a position to open up to the outside, but remain closed to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your property with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will need appropriate extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Clouston Park

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory for all rent homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation is in line with the new standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

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

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values required for your area

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Clouston Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water, and stop it from coming inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s usually what you don’t see that can become a big problem and cause damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to have efficient drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from getting into the building. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

See the full 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 to The Healthy Homes Standard in Clouston Park include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Clouston Park for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to be able to examine when conducting a house assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a Tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional advice, call today to schedule your rental property house assessment.