Healthy Homes Assessment Haywards

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 Haywards rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to check whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work needed to be completed. needs to be done, and provide an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes associated fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, as well as fully qualified to evaluate each of 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, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Haywards rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on the Haywards rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request details 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 necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out It could also be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is executed, and it should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It is crucial to keep in mind that landlords with multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down only for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have a home assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households the property in New Zealand and Haywards, and research suggests that rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating and tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who reported four or more major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Haywards rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to illness. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping within Haywards rental properties.

Begin now by calling about getting a Haywards Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Haywards

Draughts may lead to less temperature in houses. A damp home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught 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 are able to feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap, then it’s most likely a gap or hole that needs sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out into the house require to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever possible.

There is no need to block gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for the movement of the building as the household heats and cools, to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will inspect every window and door in an 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 houses

Heating Haywards

Haywards rental properties should have a permanent heating source that can heat the main or largest living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether 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 like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it should have an thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source, like the heat pump, it could need an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Haywards

Each living space within a rental property must include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about acknowledging how dried air can be less difficult to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or skylight needs for them to be in a position of opening to the outside while remaining at an open angle in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home with a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture generating item will need adequate extractor fans which are vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Haywards

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation is in line with current standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and it will make much easier for the house to retain heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Haywards Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s frequently not apparent that it could become a major issue that can cause damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a 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 moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Haywards

Areas of rental properties that are impacted by the Healthy Homes Standards in Haywards include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Haywards for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to be able to examine during a home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert advice, call today to book your rental properties home evaluation.