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 of July 2021? Landlords must make sure that their Clive rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work that needs to be completed and offer an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under 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 up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes connected fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re fully certified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Clive rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be completed within 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they may receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is named on the lease contract as the person letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It is crucial to be aware that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given only for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with significant fines and having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and request a house assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households rent the property in New Zealand and Clive, and research indicates that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more key issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Improve the standard of Clive rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and living due to diseases. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long run.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Clive

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside households. A damp home will cost more to heat, which results in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a gap or hole that is, it’s likely to be a gap or hole that needs sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out of the home require sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no require to block gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement within the building when the home heats and cools, to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will examine every window and door as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Clive

Clive rental properties should have a permanent source of heat that can heat the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to top up with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it should have a thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a central heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might just require a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

Check out the complete details on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Clive

Each liveable space in a rental house must have at least one openable doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about acknowledging it is that dry air will be more easy to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or skylight needs for them to be in a position of opening to the outside while remaining closed to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your home that has a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will require suitable extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is an ideal house

Insulation Clive

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required for all rent homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation is in line with current quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and will also make it easier to the house to hold warmth.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor 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; you have to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go and prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s usually the things you don’t notice that can become a big problem and end up causing damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have effective drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water is able to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from getting into the property. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Clive

The areas of rental property that are affected through Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Clive include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Clive for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to check in an house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice, call today to schedule your rental property house evaluation.