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 effective on July 1st, 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 the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties are required to be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks that needs to be done and offer an assessment report that includes all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes related fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, and are fully qualified to assess 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, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on an Ascot Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be finished inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Ascot Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It’s also crucial to note that landlords with multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down only for serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have an home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Ascot Park, and research suggests that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and are of lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who report at least four major issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Ascot Park rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of diseases. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping on Ascot Park rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Ascot Park

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside households. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the air is clear from a gap or hole, then it is likely a crack or hole that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into your house need seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped whenever imaginable.

You don’t require to block holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement within the structure as the household heats and cools, to allow them to be opened and closed rather than securing. We will test all windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Ascot Park

Rental properties in Ascot Park need to have a stable source of heat that can heat the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to top up with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it must have a thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a central heating source, like a heat pump, then it might just require an upgrade to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Ascot Park

Each living space within the rental property should have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about understanding how dried air can be more easy to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or the skylight needs at least of opening to the outside while remaining at an open angle, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your home that has a bath, shower cooker or any other water-generating appliance will require proper extractor fan systems that vent to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

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

A dry and warm home is a healthy house

Insulation Ascot Park

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required in all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and also makes an easier task to the home to retain heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values required for your area

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, 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 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

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

Ascot Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s frequently not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have efficient drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a place to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the property. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Ascot Park

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Ascot Park for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to look over during the home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a Tenancy services ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental properties house assessment.