Healthy Homes Assessment Haywards

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must make sure that their Haywards rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work needed to be completed. requirements to be completed and provide an evaluation report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, and are completely qualified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Haywards rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be completed by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who provide a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as the one who is who is letting the property It could also be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it should be maintained through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It’s also important to remember that a landlord who own multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are reserved for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and arrange to have an home inspection performed for your rental property.

Get the full description of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Haywards, and research has shown that these rental houses tend to be colder, older and have less effective heating and tend to be lower quality than the houses of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who report at least four major housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Haywards rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and living due to health issues. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping in Haywards rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Haywards

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in houses. A damp house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap that is, it’s likely to be a gap or hole which requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out within your home need the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as far as 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 might be necessary to allow for movement of the structure as the household warms and cools so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will inspect all windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for well-being homes

Heating Haywards

Haywards rental properties should have a permanent source of heating that can heat the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

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

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source, like heat pumps, it may require an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Haywards

Every living space of the rental property should have at least one openable door or window to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

This ventilation quality is about recognising how dry air will be more easy 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 all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered liveable and don’t require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or the skylight requirements to have the ability to open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your home with a bath, shower and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will need proper extractor fan systems that are vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Haywards

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement on all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is up to this new quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and it will make an easier task to allow the house to keep warmth.

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

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

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

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

Haywards Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is frequently the things you don’t notice that could become a major issue, causing damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from entering the structure. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor 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 Haywards

The areas of rental property that are affected to Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Haywards include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Haywards for Rental Properties

There are many things to check when conducting an home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental properties home evaluation.