Healthy Homes Assessment Clive

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to ensure that their Clive rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas 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. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks which requirements to be done, and provide the report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re fully qualified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Clive rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be completed inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who offer a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out which could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it must be updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It is important to be aware that a landlord who own multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct an home evaluation performed on your rental property.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Clive, and research indicates that rental houses are likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more key issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Enhancing the quality of Clive rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to illness. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping within Clive rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss getting a Clive Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Clive

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in houses. A damp house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or a clear draught from a crack or a gap and you are able to feel it, it is most likely a gap or hole that requirements sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out within your house require the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent possible.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the home heats and cools, in order to let them be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will examine all windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Clive

Rental properties in Clive should have a permanent heating source that can heat the{ main or largest|| largest or main| principal or the biggest} living space to at least 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended 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 minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether your current fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), then it must be equipped with a thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source, like an air conditioner, it may need some additional energy to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Clive

Every living space of the rental property should have at least one openable door or window to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about recognising that dry air is less difficult to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position of opening to the outside while remaining closed, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will require suitable extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

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

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Clive

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure the insulation meets current quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and will also make much easier for the home to hold 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 insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder area 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Clive Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow, and stop it from coming into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s typically the things you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the home. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Find out all the details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Clive

Property rental areas that are affected through the Healthy Homes Standard in Clive include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Clive for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns you should look for in the home review to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have enough 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 in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenant solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today to book your rental properties house assessment.