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 that their Ascot Park rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

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

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

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties and are fully qualified to assess 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, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on an Ascot Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be done within 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant could be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property which could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct when the tenancy contract is executed, and it must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s also important to note that a landlord with several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down only for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with 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 today and request a house assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Ascot Park, and research suggests that rental homes are likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than the houses of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Ascot Park rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to diseases. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Ascot Park

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in houses. A humid house will cost more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a hole or gap or crack, then it is likely a crack or hole that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out into the home require sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as far as possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement within the building as the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will check all doors and windows as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for well-being homes

Heating Ascot Park

Ascot Park rental properties require a reliable heating source that can warm the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it requirements to be equipped with the thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. In most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source, like an air conditioner, it might just require a top up to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Ascot Park

Every living space of a rental house must include at least one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

A ventilation standard is all about acknowledging it is that dry air is more easy to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t liveable , and thus are not need an opening window or door.

Every window, door or Skylight needs to have the ability of opening to the outside, but remain closed, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your house that houses a bath, shower cooker or any other water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

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

A warm dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Ascot Park

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory on all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, as well as making an easier task to the house to hold warmth.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

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

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Ascot Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically what you don’t see that could be a huge problem and end up causing damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to remove rainwater, storm water and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the property. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Learn more about 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 by Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Ascot Park include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Ascot Park for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to look over in the house assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property house assessment.