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? Landlords must 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 must be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks required. needs to be done, and provide a report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes associated fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, and are completely qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

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 work have to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days of being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It’s also crucial to be aware that landlords who have several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in significant fines and still being required to comply with the regulations. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct a home inspection performed on your rental property.

Get the full description of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households rent homes in New Zealand and Ascot Park, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than the houses of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who report at least four major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Ascot Park rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and living due to health issues. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping for Ascot Park rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Ascot Park

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in households. A draughty house will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a hole or gap that is, it’s probably a gap or crack that needs sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out of the home need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

There is no need to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow movement of the building when the home is heated and cools so that they can still be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will test all doors and windows in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Ascot Park

Ascot Park rental properties should have a permanent source of heating that can warm the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to top up with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, then it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a central heating source such as a heat pump, then it could need some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the quality because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Ascot Park

Each living space within a rental property must have at least one openable doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about recognising it is that dry air is much easier to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position of opening to the outside, but remain closed to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your home with shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will need proper extractor fan systems that can be vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is an ideal house

Insulation Ascot Park

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory for all rent houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure the insulation meets the new standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and will also make it easier 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 is a gauge of how well insulation can withstand 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 – the remainder area 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Ascot Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go, and stop it from coming into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is often not apparent that it can become a big problem and cause the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and the ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the home. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Ascot Park

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

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Ascot Park for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to look over when conducting an home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there 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 getting on the wrong side of the tenant services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property house evaluation.