Healthy Homes Assessment Haywards

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Haywards rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work needed to be completed. needs to be done, and offer an evaluation report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors for rental properties, as well as completely qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Haywards rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be done inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Haywards rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days of being informed of the request, they may be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as the one who is leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate when the tenancy contract is completed, and must be updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It is important to keep in mind that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and request a home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households rent the property in New Zealand and Haywards, and research shows us that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and have lower quality than the houses of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who have reported at least four major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the standard of Haywards rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and living due to diseases. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control in Haywards rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about getting a Haywards Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Haywards

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A damp home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or a clear draught out of a hole or gap or crack, then it is most likely a gap or crack that needs sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out of the house need sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated whenever imaginable.

There is no need to block off gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement within the structure when the house is heated and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than securing. We will check all windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Haywards

Rental properties in Haywards require a reliable source of heat that can warm the largest or main living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heat needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the existing fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it needs to be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make 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. However, in certain instances such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source such as the heat pump, it might require a top up to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Haywards

Each liveable space in a rental property has to have at least one openable window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about understanding it is that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t living spaces and therefore don’t require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or skylight requirements at least open to the outside while remaining at an open angle in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your home that has a bath, shower and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will require appropriate extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is a healthy house

Insulation Haywards

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory to all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure the insulation meets this new standard. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, as well as making much easier to allow the household to keep warmth.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest 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 standard.

Haywards Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is typically what you don’t see that can become a big problem, causing damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to be equipped with efficient drainage to remove storm water, surface water, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between your flooring and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from getting into the building. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Haywards

Property rental areas that are affected to The Healthy Homes Standards in Haywards include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Haywards for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to look over in an home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a ruling on tenancy services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert advice get in touch today to schedule your rental properties house assessment.