Healthy Homes Assessment Ascot Park

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure their Ascot Park rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks that needs to be done and provide the report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes related fines.

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

Call Now (04) 280 6793

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on an Ascot Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be finished by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Ascot Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty up to $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It is updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s also important to be aware that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct a house assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households rent the property in New Zealand and Ascot Park, and research suggests that rental houses are likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. In addition, people who report at least four major housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Ascot Park rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and living because of illness. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which results in lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control on Ascot Park rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Ascot Park Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Ascot Park

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside homes. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap, then it is likely to be a gap or an opening that needs sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out from your house need sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched as far 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 might be necessary to allow movement of the building as the home gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be opened and closed rather than securing. We will test every window and door in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Ascot Park

Ascot Park rental properties need to have a stable source of heat that can warm the largest or main living room to at least 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to top up by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it should be equipped with an thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like a heat pump, then it might need a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Ascot Park

Each living space within the rental property should include at least one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about recognising that dry air will be more easy to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered living spaces and therefore do not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements at least of opening to the outside and remain set in an opening position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your property with shower, bath cooker or any other humidity-generating items will require appropriate extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Ascot Park

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement in all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and also makes much easier to allow the household to hold warmth.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9, underfloor 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.

Ascot Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically what you don’t see that could be a huge problem and end up causing damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from entering the property. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Ascot Park

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through the Healthy Homes Standard in Ascot Park include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Ascot Park for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns you should look for in an home review to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenant services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today and book your rental property house evaluation.