Healthy Homes Assessment Haywards

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure that their Haywards rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks which requirements to be done and provide the report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re completely qualified to evaluate 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 brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Haywards rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

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

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be kept updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It’s crucial to be aware that a landlord with multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are handed down for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in large fines in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and request an home assessment performed on your rental property.

See the full details for this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Haywards, and research has shown that these rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than the homes of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. In addition, people who experience at least four key issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Improve the standard of Haywards rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and living due to health issues. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping for Haywards rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Haywards Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Haywards

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in households. A cold home costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the air is clear from a hole or gap and you can feel it, it is most likely a gap or an opening that needs sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into your home require the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent possible.

There is no need to block off holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement within the structure as the household is heated and cools in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will test every window and door during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Haywards

Rental properties in Haywards should have a permanent source of heat that can heat the largest or main living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top-up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must have the thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a central heating source, like the heat pump, it might just require a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the standard because they’re costly, not affordable to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Haywards

Each living space within a rental property must include at least one open doors or windows to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation standard is about recognising that dry air is much easier to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t liveable , and thus do not require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or skylight requirements to be able to open to the outside, and stay set in an opening position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will require appropriate extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Haywards

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory in all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation is up to current standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and will also make it easier to the house to hold warmth.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 underfloor 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

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

Haywards Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the inside it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow, and stop it from coming inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s frequently those things that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between your flooring and surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from entering the property. It also assists in preventing 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

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Haywards for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to be able to examine during a house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional advice, call today and book your rental property house assessment.