Healthy Homes Assessment Ascot Park

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 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 new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks required. requirements to be done and provide the report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’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 found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes related fines.

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, as well as fully certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

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

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is named on the lease contract as the person leasing the property out It could also be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It’s important to keep in mind that landlords with multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are given for the most serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have a house assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Ascot Park, and research has shown that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who report four or more major issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Ascot Park rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping in Ascot Park rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Ascot Park

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside houses. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a crack or a gap, then it’s probably a gap or hole that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out into your home require seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped as much as imaginable.

You don’t require to block up intentional holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement of the structure when the house warms and cools in order to let them be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will check every window and door in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is 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 largest or main living room to at least 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the existing permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it must include the thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like small apartments an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as heat pumps, it could require an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard as they are either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Ascot Park

Each living space within a rental property must include at least one open doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation quality is all about acknowledging the fact that dried air can be more easy to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable , and thus do not require an opening door or window.

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

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your home that has shower, bath cooker or any other moisture generating item will require suitable extractor fans which are vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Ascot Park

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required for all rent houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation is in line with the new quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and also makes it easier to allow the house to retain warmth.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Ascot Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go, and stop it from coming into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s frequently what you don’t see that could become a major issue and cause the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the structure. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Learn more about 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 through Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Ascot Park include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Ascot Park for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to check in an home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a Tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today to book your rental properties house assessment.