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 July 2021? Landlords now have to make sure 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 assess your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks which requirements to be completed and provide a report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, and are fully qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Clive rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they can receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty approximately $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be kept updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It is crucial to note that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and request an home evaluation performed for your rental property.

See the full details for the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Clive, and research indicates that rental houses tend to be colder, older and have less effective heating and have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who have reported four or more major issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Enhancing the quality of Clive rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and living due to diseases. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Clive

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in homes. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole and you are able to feel it, it is likely to be a gap or hole which requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out into the home need the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t require to block off gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure when the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will check all doors and windows during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Clive

Rental properties in Clive should have a permanent source of heating that is able to heat the living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, 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 outlook.

The source of heat needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether your current permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump it must include the thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a central heating source, like the heat pump, it may need an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Clive

Every living space in a rental home must have at least one opening door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is about recognising that dried air can be much easier to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus don’t require an opening window or door.

Each window, door or the skylight needs to have the ability open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your house that houses a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will require appropriate extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Clive

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory in all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and also makes more easy to allow the home to hold heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective 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 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

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

Clive Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go, and also stop it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s frequently those things that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have efficient drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Clive

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

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• 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 is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental properties home evaluation.