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 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 rental properties must be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work that needs to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, we are completely certified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6793

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed contract is signed on an Ascot Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on the Ascot Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property which could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct when the tenancy agreement is signed. It is updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it is finished.

It is crucial to remember that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved only for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be fined 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 bank account with huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have a home assessment done for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Ascot Park, and research suggests that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who have reported four or more major housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Enhancing the quality of Ascot Park rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and living due to illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping within Ascot Park rental properties.

Begin now by calling about 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 dropping temperatures within homes. A draughty house will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a crack or a gap that is, it is likely a crack or hole that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out within your home need the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as far as possible.

You don’t require to block gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement within the building as the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than securing. We will examine all windows and doors 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 healthy homes

Heating Ascot Park

Rental properties in Ascot Park require a reliable source of heat which can warm the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to top up with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump it requirements to have a thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and efficient. For most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source such as a heat pump, then it could require a top up to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard as they are either costly, not affordable to run, and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Ascot Park

Every living space of a rental home must have at least one opening window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about recognising that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open to the outside and remain at an open angle to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your property with a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture generating item will require adequate extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Ascot Park

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement on all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is up to the new quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and it will make an easier task to allow the house to hold the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Ascot Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is usually those things that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem and cause the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the property. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Ascot Park

Rental property areas affected through the Healthy Homes Standards in Ascot Park include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Ascot Park for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things you should look for during the home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenancy services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional advice, call now and schedule your rental properties house evaluation.