Healthy Homes Assessment Ascot Park

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure their Ascot Park rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas 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 if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work which needs to be completed, and offer an evaluation report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties and are fully certified for each of 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, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for an Ascot Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on the Ascot Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property It could also be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is also crucial to be aware that a landlord with multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for the most serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and arrange to have a home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Ascot Park, and research indicates that rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who reported four or more major home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Ascot Park rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and living due to diseases. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control on Ascot Park rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Ascot Park

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in households. A humid house is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the air is clear out of a hole or gap or crack, then it is probably a gap or an opening that needs sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out within your home require seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as far as possible.

There is no require to block holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow movement of the building as the home warms and cools in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will check all windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for well-being houses

Heating Ascot Park

Rental properties in Ascot Park require a reliable source of heating that can heat the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump it must include the thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source, such as an air conditioner, it might need a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the standard as they are either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Ascot Park

Each living space within a rental home must contain at minimum one open doors or windows to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

The ventilation standard is all about recognising how the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or skylight needs to be able to open up to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your house that houses a bath, shower cooker or any other humidity-generating items will need suitable extractor fans that are vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

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

A dry and warm house is an ideal house

Insulation Ascot Park

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory for all rent houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure the insulation meets this new quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and also makes much easier to allow the household to retain warmth.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 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 floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

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

Ascot Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building but you must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s usually what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and the ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the home. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• 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 a home assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenancy services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice, call today and book your rental properties home evaluation.