Healthy Homes Assessment Clive

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 must ensure their Clive rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must be fully certified by 1 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 check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work that requirements to be done, and offer a report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes associated fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, as well as completely qualified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Clive rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be finished within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on the Clive rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or 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 property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who offer a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it is updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is crucial to note that landlords with multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in large fines in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have a home assessment done for your rental property.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households in New Zealand and Clive, and research suggests that rental homes tend to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who experience at least four key housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Improving the quality of Clive rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and living due to illness. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which results in lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught stopping on Clive rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about the Clive Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Clive

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in houses. A draughty home costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it requirements 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 crack or a gap that is, it is likely to be a gap or crack that needs sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out within the home require sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as far as imaginable.

You don’t require to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for the movement of the building as the household heats and cools, to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will test the 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.

A good heating system is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Clive

Rental properties in Clive should have a permanent source of heat that can heat the{ main or largest|| largest or main| principal or the biggest} living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the current fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump it requirements to include a thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. For most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source like heat pumps, it could require an update to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Clive

Every living space of the rental property should have at least one opening doors or windows to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is about recognising that dry air is easier to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing 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 considered liveable and are not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or Skylight requirements at least open to the outside and remain at an open angle to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your home with a bath, shower cooker or any other humidity-generating items will need suitable extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient 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 this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Clive

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure the insulation meets current quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and also makes it easier to the home to hold warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 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

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Clive Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow and prevent 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 and end up causing damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have efficient drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from rising into the property. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Clive

The areas of rental property that are affected by The Healthy Homes Standard in Clive include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Clive for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns you should look for during an home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenant solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental properties house evaluation.