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 effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords now have to 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 must be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and determine 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 any tasks that requirements to be completed, and provide a report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re fully certified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for an Ascot Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be finished within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Ascot Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property, so it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate when the tenancy contract is signed. It should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It is crucial to be aware that landlords who have multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down only for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have an house evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households rent in New Zealand and Ascot Park, and research has shown that these rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who reported at least four major house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

The improvement in the standard of Ascot Park rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to illness. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping in Ascot Park rental properties.

Start now and call about having a Ascot Park Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Ascot Park

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A draughty home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air entering or a clear draught from a gap or hole, then it’s probably a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit from the house need the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped as far as imaginable.

There is no need to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement of the building as the home heats and cools, in order to let them be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will check all windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Ascot Park

Ascot Park rental properties must have a fixed heating source that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat source, it needs to have the thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source like heat pumps, it might require an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality as they are either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Ascot Park

Every living space in a rental property has to have at least one openable doors or windows to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about understanding the fact that dry air will be less difficult to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or skylight requirements to be able of opening to the outside while remaining set in an opening position to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your home with shower, bath cooker or any other moisture generating item will require adequate extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is an ideal home

Insulation Ascot Park

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory to all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation is in line with this new standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and also makes an easier task to the household to keep heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Ascot Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go and stop it from coming inside. When it is about damp and water, it is typically those things that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem that can cause damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water is able to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from getting into the home. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

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 Standards in Ascot Park include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Ascot Park for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns you should look for when conducting an house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental property home evaluation.