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 their Ascot Park rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed 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 evaluate your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks which needs to be done, and provide a report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re completely qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on an Ascot Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

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

Additionally, there is also a penalty up to $900 for landlords and property managers who offer a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out It could also be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be current when the tenancy contract is executed, and it is updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is also important to be aware that landlords with multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for severe violations. Those who have six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and arrange to have a house inspection performed for your rental property.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Ascot Park, and research indicates that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are associated with negative health results, specifically for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who reported four or more major housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Ascot Park rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of illness. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less costs of maintenance over the long term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Ascot Park

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside houses. A draughty home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap and you can feel it, it’s likely a crack or an opening that requirements sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out of the house require sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t require to block off gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow movement of the structure as the household is heated and cools in order to let them be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect every window and door in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Ascot Park

Ascot Park rental properties require a reliable source of heat that can heat the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the current installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top-up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), then it must include an thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source like an air conditioner, it might just need a top up to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Ascot Park

Every living space of a rental house must have at least one opening door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about understanding how dry air will be more easy to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus don’t require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or the skylight needs for them to be in a position to open to the outside and remain closed, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your home that has a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will require adequate extractor fans that vent towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

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

A warm dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Ascot Park

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement to all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is up to this new 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 house can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and will also make much easier for the household to keep the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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 (underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Ascot Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water, and also stop it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s often not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble that can cause the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from entering the property. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Find out all the details of this 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 to Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Ascot Park include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Ascot Park for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to check during the house assessment to see if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenant services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property house assessment.