Healthy Homes Assessment Clouston Park

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure 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 fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work which needs to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re completely certified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6792

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Clouston Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be completed within 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days of being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current when the tenancy contract is completed, and should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is important to be aware that landlords who own multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for severe breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct a house evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households rent from New Zealand and Clouston Park, and research indicates that rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who experience four or more major issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the standard of Clouston Park rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and living due to illness. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping for Clouston Park rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Clouston Park

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in homes. A humid home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap, then it’s likely a crack or crack that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out from the home require sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

There is no require to cover up gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow movement of the structure as the household is heated and cools in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will test all windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are important for well-being houses

Heating Clouston Park

Clouston Park rental properties need to have a stable source of heating that can heat the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if your current permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump then it must be equipped with a thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source like heat pumps, it could require an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Clouston Park

Every living space in a rental property has to have at least one openable door or window to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about understanding that dried air can be less difficult to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or skylight requirements at least open to the outside, and stay at an open angle to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your home that has a bath, shower and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will require appropriate extractor fans that vent out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

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

A cozy dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Clouston Park

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement to all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure the insulation meets this new standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and it will make it easier to allow the household to keep the heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor 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

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Clouston Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water and also stop it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is typically what you don’t see that can become a big problem that can cause damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper 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 from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from entering the property. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor 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

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Clouston Park for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns you should look for when conducting an home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today and book your rental property house assessment.