Healthy Homes Assessment Ascot Park

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The subjects 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 standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks that needs to be completed and provide an evaluation report with all the information 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 in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes associated fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, and are fully 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 brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for an Ascot Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be finished within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on an Ascot Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty up to $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property, so it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be maintained through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is also important to note that a landlord who have several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for severe violations. Those who have more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct an home assessment done for your rental property.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households rent the property in New Zealand and Ascot Park, and research has shown that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who have reported four or more major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Improve the quality of Ascot Park rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of illness. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control on Ascot Park rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Ascot Park

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in households. A humid house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole and you can feel it, it’s most likely a gap or crack that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from your house require seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as far as possible.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the household heats and cools, so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will check all windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Ascot Park

Ascot Park rental properties require a reliable heating source that can warm the largest or main living room to at least 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it should be equipped with the thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source like a heat pump, then it might require an update to ensure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard because they’re costly, not affordable to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Ascot Park

Each liveable space in a rental property has to include at least one open door or window to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about recognising how dry air is easier to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or the skylight requirements to have the ability of opening to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your house that houses a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture generating item will need appropriate extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Ascot Park

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory to all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation is in line with this new quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and will also make an easier task for the household to keep heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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 higher the quality of insulation.

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

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Ascot Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface or ground water, and prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue and end up causing damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Learn more about 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 the Healthy Homes Standard in Ascot Park include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Ascot Park for Rental Properties

There are many concerns you should look for when conducting a house assessment to see if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today and book your rental property house assessment.