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 July 2021? Landlords must ensure 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 rental properties are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks that needs to be completed, and offer an evaluation report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re fully qualified to evaluate each of 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, if a new or renewed contract is signed on a Clouston Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be finished inside of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the lease contract as the person who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current when the tenancy agreement is signed. It is updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It is also crucial to note that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given only for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and request an home assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households from New Zealand and Clouston Park, and research suggests that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating and have lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who experience at least four major issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

The improvement in the quality of Clouston Park rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to diseases. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping for Clouston Park rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about having a Clouston Park Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Clouston Park

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A cold home costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a gap or hole or crack, then it is most likely a gap or crack that needs sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into the house need sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched whenever imaginable.

There is no need to block off holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement within the building as the home heats and cools, so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will inspect all doors and windows in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Clouston Park

Clouston Park rental properties should have a permanent heating source that can warm the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the existing permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top-up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it must be equipped with a thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a central heating source such as an air conditioner, it might require an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

Check out the complete details to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Clouston Park

Every living space of a rental property has to contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about understanding it is that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or the skylight needs for them to be in a position open to the outside while remaining closed in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your house that houses a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture generating item will require suitable extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Clouston Park

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required in all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and also makes an easier task for the home to retain heat.

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

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

• 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 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Clouston Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water and stop it from coming into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is frequently the things you don’t notice that could become a major issue, causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the building. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Clouston Park

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Clouston Park include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Clouston Park for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to be able to examine when conducting an house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today to book your rental property house evaluation.