Healthy Homes Assessment Ascot Park

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that 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 your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of any work which requirements to be done and provide an assessment report that includes all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, and are completely qualified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed contract is signed on an Ascot Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be completed inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property and it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s also important to keep in mind that a landlord with multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given only for serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have an house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

Check out the complete details of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Ascot Park, and research has shown that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the houses of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who reported four or more major issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the standard of Ascot Park rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping on Ascot Park rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Ascot Park

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in houses. A humid home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a gap or hole or crack, then it is likely a crack or crack that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out into the house need seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched whenever imaginable.

You don’t require to block holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement of the building as the house warms and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will inspect all doors and windows during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Ascot Park

Rental properties in Ascot Park should have a permanent source of heat that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if your current installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered 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 be equipped with the thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source like heat pumps, it might just require a top up to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Ascot Park

Each liveable space in the rental property should have at least one opening door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

A ventilation standard is about recognising it is that dried air can be much easier to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements to have the ability to open to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your property with a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need adequate extractor fans which are vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is an ideal house

Insulation Ascot Park

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory in all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation is in line with this new standard. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, as well as making an easier task to allow the home to hold warmth.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.

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

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

Ascot Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s typically the things you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to have effective drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and the ground, 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 getting into the property. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Ascot Park

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Ascot Park include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Ascot Park for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to look over during the home assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? 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 repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an Tenancy services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert advice get in touch now and schedule your rental property home assessment.