Healthy Homes Assessment Ascot Park

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to ensure that 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 must be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property and determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work that requirements to be done and offer an assessment report that includes all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties and are completely qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for an Ascot Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be finished by the end of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty approximately $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting 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 current at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be kept updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It’s crucial to note that a landlord who have multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for severe violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have a home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Ascot Park, and research suggests that rental homes tend to be older, colder, have less effective heating and are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative health results, specifically for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who have reported at least four major housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

Improve the standard of Ascot Park rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower maintenance costs over the long term.

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

Get started now and contact us about having a Ascot Park Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Ascot Park

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within households. A humid home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a hole or gap or crack, then it’s most likely a gap or hole that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from your home need sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t require to cover up holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow movement of the structure when the household heats and cools, so that they can still be closed and opened rather than securing. We will check all doors and windows during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for healthy houses

Heating Ascot Park

Ascot Park rental properties must have a fixed source of heating that can heat the{ main or largest|| largest or main| principal or the biggest} living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it should have the thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. In most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, 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 might be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source such as heat pumps, it might need an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Ascot Park

Every living space of a rental home must have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation quality is about recognising the fact that dried air can be much easier to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or skylight needs at least of opening to the outside and remain fixed in an open position to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your home with shower, bath cooker or any other moisture-producing item will need appropriate extractor fans which are vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Ascot Park

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory to all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and also makes it easier to allow the house to keep heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of the 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

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Ascot Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water, and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is typically those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem and cause damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to remove storm water, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a location to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between your flooring and soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from getting into the home. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Ascot Park

The areas of rental property that are affected by Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Ascot Park include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Ascot Park for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to look over in a house assessment to see if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenant solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today to book your rental properties house evaluation.