Healthy Homes Assessment Clive

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Clive rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely 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 can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work that needs to be completed and provide a report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes associated fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re fully certified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 365 444

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

As of 1st July 2021, once a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Clive rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who offer a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property and it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current when the tenancy contract is executed, and it should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It’s crucial to be aware that landlords who own multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct an home evaluation performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households rent the property in New Zealand and Clive, and research shows us that these rental homes tend to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally have lower quality than the homes of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative health results, specifically for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who reported at least four major housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Enhancing the standard of Clive rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of illness. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs 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 Draught Control within Clive rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Clive

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

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught out of a hole or gap or crack, then it’s probably a gap or crack that needs sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out within the home require to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched as much as imaginable.

You don’t require to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure when the house is heated and cools so that they can still be closed and opened rather than securing. We will test every window and door as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Clive

Clive rental properties must have a fixed source of heat that can warm the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The heating source needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to top up with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump it needs to include an thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source like an air conditioner, it might just require some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the quality because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Clive

Every living space in the rental property should include at least one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

A ventilation standard is about recognising how dried air can be more easy to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or Skylight needs at least to open to the outside and remain at an open angle in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your property with shower, bath cooker or any other moisture generating item will need adequate extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Clive

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and it will make it easier to the household to hold heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Clive Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the inside It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and also stop it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is frequently the concerns you don’t notice that can become a big problem and end up causing damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have effective drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring 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 Clive

Rental property areas affected through The Healthy Homes Standard in Clive include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Clive for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to check in an home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

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