Healthy Homes Assessment Ascot Park

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Ascot Park rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks which needs to be completed, and offer the report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes related fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, as well as fully qualified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on an Ascot Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be taken care of within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for an Ascot Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It’s also crucial to remember that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for severe breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have an house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

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

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who have reported four or more major housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Ascot Park rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and living due to diseases. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping in Ascot Park rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Ascot Park

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within households. A damp house will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting money and energy.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap that is, it’s likely a crack or hole that needs sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out from your home require seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever imaginable.

There is no require to cover up holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement of the building as the household is heated and cools so that they can still be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will test every window and door as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for well-being homes

Heating Ascot Park

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

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the current installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to top up with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, then it must include an thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. In most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source, such as heat pumps, it may need some additional energy to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Ascot Park

Every living space in a rental property has to have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about acknowledging how dried air can be more easy to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable , and thus don’t need an opening window or door.

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

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your house that houses shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will require adequate extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Ascot Park

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required to all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation is up to current standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and will also make an easier task for the home to hold warmth.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Ascot Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water and also stop it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is usually what you don’t see that could become a major issue that can cause the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to remove storm water, surface water, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually 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 assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Ascot Park

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Ascot Park include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Ascot Park for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to look over during a home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional assistance, get in touch today and book your rental properties home assessment.