Healthy Homes Assessment Haywards

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure their Haywards rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to be completely certified by 1 July 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 check whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks required. needs to be completed, and provide a report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes associated fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental property, as well as 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

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Haywards rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Haywards rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it is updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that landlords who have several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and make arrangements to have an home assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Haywards, and research shows us that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who reported at least four major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the standard of Haywards rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and living because of health issues. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping on Haywards rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Haywards

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within households. A cold house will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or a clear draught out of a hole or gap, then it is likely a crack or crack that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out from your home need sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated whenever imaginable.

There is no need to block holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement within the building as the household is heated and cools to allow them to be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will check all windows and doors in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Haywards

Haywards rental properties must have a fixed source of heat which can warm the living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it needs to be equipped with a thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a central heating source, such as the heat pump, it might just require an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

See the full details on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Haywards

Every living space in a rental property has to have at least one openable window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

A ventilation standard is about recognising how dried air can be less difficult to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements to be able to open to the outside while remaining at an open angle to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your house that houses shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will need appropriate extractor fans that are vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Haywards

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement to all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation is in line with current quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and it will make much easier to the home to keep warmth.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, 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, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Haywards Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water and also stop it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s frequently the things you don’t notice that could be a huge problem that can cause the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed 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, to block any moisture present in the ground from rising into the home. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Haywards

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Haywards for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to check when conducting the house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a Tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property house assessment.