Healthy Homes Assessment Haywards

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure their Haywards rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas 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 the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work required. requirements to be completed, and offer a report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes related fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties and are fully certified to assess each of 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 or renewed tenancy is signed on a Haywards rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be taken care of within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new or renewed lease is entered into on a Haywards rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is named on the lease contract as the person leasing the property out which could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it is finished.

It is crucial to be aware that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for the most serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and make arrangements to have an home assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Haywards, and research indicates that rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating and are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who have reported four or more major issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the standard of Haywards rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and living because of illnesses. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control 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 low temperatures inside homes. A humid house is more expensive to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap and you are able to feel it, it’s likely to be a gap or crack that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out from the house require seals. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as possible.

There is no require to block holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement within the building when the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will test every window and door during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Haywards

Haywards rental properties must have a fixed source of heat which can warm the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if your current installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump it must have an thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source like the heat pump, it might require some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the quality since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Haywards

Every living space in the rental property should contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about recognising the fact that dry air will be less difficult to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable and are not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door or the skylight needs to be able of opening to the outside and remain set in an opening position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your property with shower, bath and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will require adequate extractor fans which are vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Haywards

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required for all rent houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation is in line with current quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and it will make it easier to allow the house to hold the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Haywards Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s typically those things that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue and end up causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to have effective drainage to remove rainwater, storm water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water is able to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Haywards

Rental property areas affected to the Healthy Homes Standards in Haywards include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Haywards for Rental Properties

There are numerous things you should look for when conducting a house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today to book your rental property home assessment.