Healthy Homes Assessment Ascot Park

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure their Ascot Park rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in 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 if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work needed to be completed. 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 fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes relevant fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, we are completely certified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed contract is signed on an Ascot Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be finished by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on an Ascot Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease contract as the person who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be current when the tenancy contract is signed. It should be kept updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It’s crucial to be aware that a landlord who have several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and make arrangements to have a home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households rent from New Zealand and Ascot Park, and research suggests that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and have lower quality than the houses of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. In addition, people who have reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

The improvement in the standard of Ascot Park rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and daily life due to diseases. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping in Ascot Park rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Ascot Park

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside houses. A cold house costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap that is, it is likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out of your house need sealing. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t need to block off gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement of the building as the house heats and cools, so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will test the windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Ascot Park

Rental properties in Ascot Park should have a permanent source of heating which can warm the living area to at minimum 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested 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 minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if your current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to top up with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source, like the heat pump, it could need a top up to ensure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Ascot Park

Every living space of the rental property should include at least one open door or window to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to take moisture away.

A ventilation quality is all about understanding that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not living spaces and therefore are not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements to be able to open to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your property with shower, bath cooker or any other moisture generating item will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Ascot Park

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement in all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is up to current standard. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and will also make it easier to the house to keep heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest part of 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 all of the 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 dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s typically what you don’t see that could become a major issue, causing damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between the floor and ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the home. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Ascot Park

The areas of rental property that are affected by The Healthy Homes Standards in Ascot Park include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Ascot Park for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to check during a house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenant solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental properties house evaluation.