Healthy Homes Assessment Ascot Park

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must make sure that their Ascot Park rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work which needs to be done, and offer the report with all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors for rental properties, as well as fully qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on an Ascot Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be done by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed lease is entered into on the Ascot Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant can be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out which could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be current when the tenancy contract is executed, and it should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s important to remember that landlords who own multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are handed down for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a home inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Ascot Park, and research shows us that these rental homes tend to be colder, older and have less effective heating and are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who have reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the quality of Ascot Park rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and living due to illnesses. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping for Ascot Park rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss the Ascot Park Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Ascot Park

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

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

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 and you can feel it, it’s most likely a gap or hole that requirements sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out within the house need to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t require to cover up holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for the movement of the structure when the home is heated and cools so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will test the windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Ascot Park

Rental properties in Ascot Park must have a fixed heating source which can warm the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the current fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to top up by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, then it must be equipped with a thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source like the heat pump, it could require a top up to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Ascot Park

Each living space within a rental property must have at least one openable window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about recognising the fact that dried air can be easier to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore don’t require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or skylight needs for them to be in a position open to the outside, but remain closed, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home that has shower, bath and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will need appropriate extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is an ideal home

Insulation Ascot Park

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement in all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure the insulation meets current standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and will also make much easier to the home to keep the heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation resists 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 remainder area 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Ascot Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is often the things you don’t notice that could be a huge problem that can cause damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to remove rainwater, storm water, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and surface, 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 to stop any moisture in the ground from entering the building. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Ascot Park

Rental property areas affected to Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Ascot Park include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Ascot Park for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to check when conducting the home review to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an Tenancy services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice, call today to schedule your rental properties house assessment.