Healthy Homes Assessment Ascot Park

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords are now required 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 are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in 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 is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work which requirements to be completed, and provide an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties we are completely certified to assess both 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, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on an Ascot Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be completed within 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be kept updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It’s also crucial to note that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are handed down for the most serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with large fines in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have an house assessment performed for your rental property.

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 important?

One in three 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 generally tend to be lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. In addition, people who reported at least four key house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Ascot Park rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to health issues. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Control for Ascot Park rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Ascot Park

Draughts may lead to less temperature in households. A humid home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap, then it is probably a gap or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of your home require sealing. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as far as possible.

There is no need to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement within the structure as the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will inspect all doors and windows in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for healthy houses

Heating Ascot Park

Ascot Park rental properties should have a permanent source of heat that can heat the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC 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 outlook.

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it requirements to be equipped with an thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. In most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source like a heat pump, then it may need a top up to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Ascot Park

Every living space in a rental property has to include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about understanding how the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or Skylight needs at least to open up to the outside and remain fixed in an open position, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your home with shower, bath, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will require proper extractor fan systems that can be vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Ascot Park

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory in all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation is in line with current quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, as well as making an easier task to the household to hold the heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and it is a measurement 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 – the rest of the 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Ascot Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and stop it from coming into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s frequently the concerns you don’t notice that could be a huge problem that can cause the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from rising into the home. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor 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 Standard in Ascot Park include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Ascot Park for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to check in the house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

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