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 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 rental properties must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to check whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks which requirements to be completed and provide an assessment report that includes all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes related fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, we are completely certified for 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, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on an Ascot Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be finished by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy 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 any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be current when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it is updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It is also important to be aware that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down only for serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have a house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households in New Zealand and Ascot Park, and research has shown that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who experience four or more key housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the quality of Ascot Park rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and living due to illness. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping in Ascot Park rental properties.

Begin now by calling about getting a Ascot Park Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Ascot Park

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within houses. A humid home is more expensive to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or hole which needs sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within your home need seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped whenever possible.

You don’t require to block up intentional gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement of the building as the house is heated and cools to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will inspect every window and door in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for well-being houses

Heating Ascot Park

Ascot Park rental properties should have a permanent source of heating that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it should include an thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, like a heat pump, then it may need a top up to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Ascot Park

Every living space in the rental property should include at least one open window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about acknowledging how dry air is easier to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus do not require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or Skylight requirements at least to open to the outside, but remain at an open angle to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require appropriate extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

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

A cozy dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Ascot Park

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required to all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation is in line with the new standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might need to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and also makes much easier for the home to hold heat.

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

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

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

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Ascot Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the inside it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water and also stop it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s typically the concerns you don’t notice that could become a major issue and cause damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from entering the home. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring 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

Rental property areas affected by Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Ascot Park include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Ascot Park for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to look over when conducting an house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenancy services ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch now and schedule your rental property house assessment.