Healthy Homes Assessment Haywards

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 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 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 evaluate your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work that requirements to be done, and offer an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties we are completely qualified to assess 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, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Haywards rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be completed by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Haywards rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they could be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords and 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 listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It must be updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s also crucial to note that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are handed down for serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in huge fines, in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and ask us to conduct a house evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Haywards, and research suggests that rental homes are likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who report at least four major home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Improve the quality of Haywards rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of health issues. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping for Haywards rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Haywards

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in houses. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a hole or gap that is, it is likely a crack or crack that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out from the home need sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

There is no require to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow movement of the structure when the home warms and cools so that they can still be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will test every window and door as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Haywards

Haywards rental properties need to have a stable source of heat that can warm the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it should be equipped with an thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source like the heat pump, it might require an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Haywards

Every living space in a rental home must contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about understanding how the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus are not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or Skylight needs to have the ability of opening to the outside, but remain at an open angle, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your home with a bath, shower and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will need appropriate extractor fans which are vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Haywards

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation is in line with this new quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, as well as making an easier task for the home to keep the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better the insulation.

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

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

Haywards Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the inside It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water, and stop it from coming into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s typically what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the home. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Find out all the 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 with The Healthy Homes Standard in Haywards include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Haywards for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns you should look for during the home assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a Tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice, call today to schedule your rental properties home evaluation.