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 of July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Ascot Park rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks required. requirements to be completed and provide an evaluation report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re fully certified to evaluate each of 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 tasks need to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new or renewed lease is entered into on an Ascot Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property It could also be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be current when the tenancy agreement is signed. It must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it is finished.

It is important to be aware that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down only for serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with significant fines and still being required to adhere to the regulations. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have a home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households rent from New Zealand and Ascot Park, and research shows us that these rental homes tend to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Additionally, those who reported four or more major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Improve the quality of Ascot Park rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to diseases. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping for Ascot Park rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Ascot Park

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in homes. A humid home is more expensive to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a hole or gap, then it is probably a gap or hole which needs sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of your house require sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as much as imaginable.

You don’t require to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the household heats and cools, so that they can still be closed and opened rather than securing. We will examine all doors and windows in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Ascot Park

Rental properties in Ascot Park should have a permanent heating source that is able to heat the{ main or largest|| largest or main| principal or the biggest} living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it requirements to be equipped with the thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, such as the heat pump, it might need a top up to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the quality since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Ascot Park

Every living space in a rental property has to contain at minimum one open door or window to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

A ventilation standard is about recognising how dry air is easier to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or Skylight needs to be able to open up to the outside and remain closed in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your house that houses a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will require adequate extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Ascot Park

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required in all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and also makes it easier to allow the home to hold heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of the 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 all of the 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

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water and also stop it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s frequently the things you don’t notice that could be a huge problem that can cause damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a location to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from entering the property. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Check out the complete details of this 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 by Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Ascot Park include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Ascot Park for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns you should look for in an house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today to book your rental property home assessment.