Healthy Homes Assessment Ascot Park

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the 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 the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks required. needs to be completed, and provide the report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, and are fully certified 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, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for an Ascot Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days of being informed of the request, they could be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property which could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is executed, and it should be kept updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It is also important to keep in mind that a landlord with several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given only for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in large fines in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and arrange to have a home assessment done for your rental property.

See the full details for details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households homes in New Zealand and Ascot Park, and research indicates that rental houses tend to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than the houses of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Additionally, those who report at least four major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Ascot Park rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and living due to illnesses. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control within Ascot Park rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about having a Ascot Park Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Ascot Park

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within houses. A humid house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a hole or gap and you can feel it, it is most likely a gap or hole that needs sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out within your house need the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped whenever imaginable.

There is no require to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for the movement of the structure as the house is heated and cools so that they can still be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will check all windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for healthy houses

Heating Ascot Park

Rental properties in Ascot Park should have a permanent 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 minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The heating source needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it must have a thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like an air conditioner, it might just require an update to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Ascot Park

Each living space within a rental property must have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

This ventilation standard is all about recognising that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and that a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or skylight needs to be able to open up to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your property with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will require adequate extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A warm dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Ascot Park

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation meets the new quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and will also make more easy for the household to keep warmth.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the quality of 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 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Ascot Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move, and prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is often the concerns you don’t notice that can become a big problem, causing damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a location to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Ascot Park

Areas of rental properties that are impacted by the Healthy Homes Standard in Ascot Park include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Ascot Park for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to be able to examine in a home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenant services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today to book your rental properties home evaluation.