Healthy Homes Assessment Ascot Park

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords must make sure their Ascot Park rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to check whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks which requirements to be done, and offer a report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re completely qualified to evaluate both 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 tenancy is signed on an Ascot Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be completed inside of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the property manager does not supply the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they can receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and must be updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It’s also important to be aware that landlords who have multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and ask us to conduct an house assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households rent the property in New Zealand and Ascot Park, and research indicates that rental houses tend to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who experience at least four major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

Improving the quality of Ascot Park rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and living due to diseases. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control for Ascot Park rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Ascot Park Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Ascot Park

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in households. A cold home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a gap or hole, then it is probably a gap or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into the house need sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated whenever possible.

You don’t need to block off holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow movement of the building as the household warms and cools in order to let them be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will examine the windows and doors in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Ascot Park

Ascot Park rental properties need to have a stable heating source that is able to heat the living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it requirements to be equipped with the thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source, such as heat pumps, it might require some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Ascot Park

Every living space of a rental property has to have at least one openable door or window to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

This ventilation quality is about recognising it is that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered living spaces and therefore are not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or the skylight requirements to be able of opening to the outside and remain closed to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your home that has a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will need suitable extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Ascot Park

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement to all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation is in line with this new quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and will also make much easier for the household to keep warmth.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Ascot Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water and to prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is often what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from rising into the building. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring 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 Ascot Park

Property rental areas that are affected with the Healthy Homes Standards in Ascot Park include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Ascot Park for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to look over during a home assessment to see if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenant solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today to book your rental property house evaluation.