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 are now required to ensure their Ascot Park rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

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

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

We will assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks required. requirements to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes associated fines.

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

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed for an Ascot Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be taken care of within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on an 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 within the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they may receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It’s crucial to remember that a landlord with multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result 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 arrange to have an home assessment performed on 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?

Around 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Ascot Park, and research shows us that these rental homes tend to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who experience at least four major home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

The improvement in the standard of Ascot Park rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of health issues. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping within Ascot Park rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Ascot Park

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in households. A cold home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap, then it’s probably a gap or hole that requirements sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out within the home require the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched whenever possible.

You don’t require to block off gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the home gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will test the windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Ascot Park

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

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to top up with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it requirements to include a thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a central heating source, such as an air conditioner, it may require some additional energy to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Ascot Park

Every living space of the rental property should have at least one opening window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation standard is about recognising that dry air is much easier to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered living spaces and therefore do not require an opening door or window.

Each door, window or the skylight requirements to have the ability to open up to the outside, but remain at an open angle, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your home that has shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will need proper extractor fan systems that are vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Ascot Park

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement for all rent homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation is in line with this new standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and will also make much easier to allow the household to hold warmth.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

• 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 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

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

Ascot Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow, and stop it from coming into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically what you don’t see that can become a big problem and end up causing damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to have effective drainage to remove storm water, surface water and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from entering the property. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Learn more about the 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 with Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Ascot Park include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Ascot Park for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to look over during an home assessment to see if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• 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 consequences of not having an Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenant services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For expert advice, call now and schedule your rental property house assessment.