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 are now required to make sure 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 fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

• Draught Stopping
• Heating
• Insulation
• Ventilation
• Moisture Ingress & Drainage

We can evaluate your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of any work required. needs to be completed and provide an evaluation report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, as well as completely certified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 232 113

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new or renewed contract is signed on a Clive rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be completed by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new or renewed lease is entered into on the Clive rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

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

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It is important to note that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and arrange to have an house inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Clive, and research suggests that rental homes are likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative health results, specifically for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who have reported four or more major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the standard of Clive rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Clive

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within houses. A humid home costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap and you are able to feel it, it is most likely a gap or crack that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within your home need sealing. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as far as possible.

You don’t need to block off holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement of the building as the house is heated and cools so that they can still be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will test the windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

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

Heating Clive

Clive rental properties require a reliable heating source which can warm the main or largest living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. 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 needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it needs to be equipped with an thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a central heating source, like an air conditioner, it could need a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Clive

Each liveable space in the rental property should contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about understanding that dried air can be easier to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable and therefore are not need an opening window or door.

Every window, door or Skylight needs to be able of opening to the outside while remaining closed to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your house that houses a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will need adequate extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

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 a requirement for all rent houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is up to current quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, as well as making more easy to allow the household to retain warmth.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of the 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 (underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Clive Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s typically those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem that can cause damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to remove storm water, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a location to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from entering the building. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Clive

Rental property areas affected to Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Clive include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Clive for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to look over during a house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today to book your rental property house assessment.