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 in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure 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 are required to be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work which needs to be completed, and provide an evaluation report with all the information required to complete 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 following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, as well as fully qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6793

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

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

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It is important to remember that a landlord with multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and ask us to conduct a home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households rent in New Zealand and Ascot Park, and research suggests that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating and are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who report at least four major house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Enhancing the standard of Ascot Park rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and living because of illness. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping for Ascot Park rental properties.

Start now and call about the Ascot Park Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Ascot Park

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside houses. A cold house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a gap or hole that is, it’s likely a crack or crack that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit from your house need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as imaginable.

You don’t need to block holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow movement of the structure when the household gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will test the windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Ascot Park

Rental properties in Ascot Park need to have a stable source of heating that can warm the living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it should include the thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source like an air conditioner, it may need a top up to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Ascot Park

Every living space in the rental property should have at least one opening doors or windows to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about recognising how dry air will be much easier to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or the skylight needs at least open to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your home that has a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will need proper extractor fan systems which are vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is a healthy house

Insulation Ascot Park

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory on all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation meets this new quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and it will make much easier for the home to keep warmth.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all area of 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Ascot Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go, and also stop it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is often not apparent that it could be a huge problem and end up causing damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the 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 Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard 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 many things to check in a house review to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today to book your rental property home evaluation.