Healthy Homes Assessment Ascot Park

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords must make sure their Ascot Park rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work needed to be completed. needs to be completed, and provide an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in 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 evaluate both 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, if a new or renewed contract is signed on an Ascot Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be finished within 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out and it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It is also important to keep in mind that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for severe violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with 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 request a house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Ascot Park, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative health results, specifically for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who report four or more key housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

The improvement in the standard of Ascot Park rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and living because of illness. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long run.

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

Start now and call 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 less temperature in houses. A damp house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or a clear draught from a crack or a gap and you can feel it, it is probably a gap or hole which needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit into the house require sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t require to block holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement of the structure when the household warms and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than securing. We will examine every window and door as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are important for healthy houses

Heating Ascot Park

Rental properties in Ascot Park need to have a stable heating source that is able to heat the living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the current permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to top up with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as 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, then it must include an thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a central heating source like an air conditioner, it could need a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Ascot Park

Every living space in a rental house must include at least one open doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about recognising it is that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t liveable and don’t need an opening window or door.

Every window, door or skylight requirements for them to be in a position open to the outside, but remain closed to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your property with shower, bath cooker or any other moisture generating item will need adequate extractor fans which are vented to the outside. This 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 The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is an ideal house

Insulation Ascot Park

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory on all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might require to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and also makes it easier for the house to retain 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 is able to resist heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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 (underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Ascot Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the inside it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go and stop it from coming inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble and cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from getting into the building. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Ascot Park

Areas of rental properties that are impacted by Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards 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 many concerns to look over during an home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice get in touch today to schedule your rental properties home evaluation.