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 are now required to make sure that their Haywards rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property and determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work which needs to be completed and offer an evaluation report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, as well as fully certified 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, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Haywards rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be completed within 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is named on the lease contract as the person leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s also important to be aware that landlords who own several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have an home evaluation performed on your rental property.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Haywards, and research indicates that rental homes are likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Additionally, those who report at least four key home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Improve the quality of Haywards rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to diseases. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping within Haywards rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Haywards

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within households. A damp home is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap that is, it’s most likely a gap or crack that requirements sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out from your home require sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as far as imaginable.

You don’t require to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the home warms and cools so that they can still be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will inspect all windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Haywards

Haywards rental properties should have a permanent source of heat that is able to heat the living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, then it must have the thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source, such as heat pumps, it could require some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Haywards

Every living space of a rental property has to contain at minimum one open door or window to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation standard is all about recognising how dry air will be much easier to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements to be able to open to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your house that houses a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will need appropriate extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is an ideal home

Insulation Haywards

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required on all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation meets the new quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness as well as making much easier for the household to retain warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of the 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Haywards Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go, and also stop it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is frequently what you don’t see that could become a major issue, causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to remove rainwater, storm water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from getting into the building. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring 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

Property rental areas that are affected through the Healthy Homes Standards in Haywards include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Haywards for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things you should look for during an home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenant services ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For expert assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental properties home assessment.