Healthy Homes Assessment Ascot Park

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Ascot Park rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas that are covered by 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 whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of any work that requirements to be done and offer an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes related fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, and are fully qualified for 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, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for an Ascot Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be completed within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for an Ascot Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property which could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct when the tenancy contract is executed, and it should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It’s also important to note that a landlord with several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are given for severe breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have a home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households rent 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 generally tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who report at least four major housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Improving the quality of Ascot Park rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of health issues. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

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

Contact us now to discuss having a Ascot Park Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Ascot Park

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in houses. A humid house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught out of a hole or gap, then it is most likely a gap or crack that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into the home need sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as far as imaginable.

You don’t require to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow movement of the structure as the home heats and cools, to allow them to be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will inspect all doors and windows as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Ascot Park

Ascot Park rental properties must have a fixed heating source that can heat the largest or main living room to at least 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the current installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it must include an thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like small apartments an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as heat pumps, it might just need some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Ascot Park

Each liveable space in a rental property must include at least one open door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about understanding how dry air will be less difficult to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t living spaces and therefore do not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or the skylight needs to have the ability open to the outside, and stay closed to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your property with a bath, shower or cooktop, 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 throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Ascot Park

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and will also make it easier for the house to hold warmth.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, 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 floor 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 quality.

Ascot Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water, and stop it from coming into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually what you don’t see that could be a huge problem and end up causing damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete 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 The Healthy Homes Standards in Ascot Park include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Ascot Park for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to look over when conducting a house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a Tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice, call now and schedule your rental property home assessment.