Healthy Homes Assessment Ascot Park

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Ascot Park rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must 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 your rental property and determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work needed to be completed. requirements to be completed and offer a report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes associated fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, we are fully certified to assess 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, if a new or renewed contract is signed on an Ascot Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on an Ascot Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

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

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home 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 may be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who provide a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It is updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It is also crucial to remember that landlords who own several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with significant fines and still being required to adhere to the regulations. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct a home inspection performed for your rental property.

Check out the complete details of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Ascot Park, and research shows us that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating and tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who experience four or more major house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Ascot Park rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and living due to illnesses. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping within 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 can lead to less temperature in houses. A humid house is more expensive to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap that is, it’s likely a crack or hole which needs sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out from the home need seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as imaginable.

There is no need to cover up gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement of the building as the household warms and cools so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will check every window and door in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Ascot Park

Rental properties in Ascot Park must have a fixed source of heating that can heat the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it should be equipped with a thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source, like a heat pump, then it may require an update to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the quality since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, or unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Ascot Park

Every living space of a rental property must contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

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

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore don’t 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 and remain fixed in an open position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your house that houses shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will require appropriate extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Ascot Park

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required in all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation meets this new quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and also makes more easy for the home to retain warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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, higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of the 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 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 interior of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s often not apparent that it could become a major issue and end up causing damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between floorboards and soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the home. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

See the full details of this 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 to Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Ascot Park include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Ascot Park for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to be able to examine during the house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a Tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert advice get in touch now and schedule your rental property home evaluation.