Healthy Homes Assessment Haywards

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and 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 about the tasks that requirements to be done, and offer a report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, as well as completely certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Haywards rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be completed inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new or renewed lease is entered into on a Haywards rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who offer a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as being the person letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It’s also important to remember that landlords who manage several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct an home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households from New Zealand and Haywards, and research shows us that these rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who reported at least four key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Improving the quality of Haywards rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and living because of diseases. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Control on Haywards rental properties.

Start now and call about receiving a Haywards Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Haywards

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in homes. A humid home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught out of a hole or gap or crack, then it’s most likely a gap or hole that needs sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out from the house require the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t require to cover up gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement of the building when the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will inspect every window and door in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Haywards

Haywards rental properties should have a permanent source of heating that is able to heat the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump it must have an thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. In most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source such as the heat pump, it may need an update to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

Check out the complete details to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Haywards

Every living space of a rental property has to have at least one openable doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about recognising that dry air is more easy to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable and don’t require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements to have the ability of opening to the outside while remaining at an open angle to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your home that has shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will need adequate extractor fans that vent to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Haywards

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory on all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation meets this new standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and also makes it easier to the house to hold the heat.

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

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

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

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Haywards Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the inside It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go, and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is typically those things that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue and cause damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between your floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from rising into the home. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Haywards

Areas of rental properties that are impacted by Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Haywards include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• 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 in a house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an Tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property house assessment.