Healthy Homes Assessment Clive

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure that their Clive rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be completely certified by 1 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 and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks that requirements to be done and offer the report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes related fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, and are fully qualified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Clive rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Clive rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant may be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it is updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s important to remember that a landlord who own several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and arrange to have an home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households rent from New Zealand and Clive, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who report four or more key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the quality of Clive rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping for Clive rental properties.

Start now and call about having a Clive Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Clive

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A draughty house costs more to heat, which results in wasting money and energy.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a gap or hole and you can feel it, it is most likely a gap or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out within your home require seals. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched as much as imaginable.

There is no need to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for the movement of the structure as the household is heated and cools to allow them to be closed and opened rather than securing. We will examine all doors and windows in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for well-being houses

Heating Clive

Clive rental properties should have a permanent heating source that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), then it must include an thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source, like heat pumps, it could require an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Clive

Every living space in a rental property has to contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about recognising that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable and therefore do not need an opening door or window.

Each door, window or skylight requirements at least of opening to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your home with a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture generating item will require suitable extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is an ideal house

Insulation Clive

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement on all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation meets current quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, as well as making it easier to allow the house to hold warmth.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better the 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 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

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

Clive Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is frequently the things you don’t notice that could become a major issue that can cause damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to have effective drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between your flooring and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Clive

The areas of rental property that are affected to The Healthy Homes Standards in Clive include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Clive for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to check when conducting the house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice get in touch today and book your rental property house evaluation.