Healthy Homes Assessment Haywards

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure 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 are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks required. needs to be completed and offer a report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, and are completely qualified to assess 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, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Haywards rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new or renewed lease is entered into on the Haywards rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It must be updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is crucial to remember that a landlord with multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have a home evaluation performed on your rental property.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Haywards, and research suggests that rental homes tend to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more key home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Enhancing the standard of Haywards rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and daily life because of illness. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs over the long term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Haywards

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in homes. A damp house will cost more to heat, which results in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a crack or a gap and you are able to feel it, it is probably a gap or crack that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out into the house require sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as far as imaginable.

You don’t need to block gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow movement of the structure when the house is heated and cools in order to let them be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will examine all windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Haywards

Haywards rental properties require a reliable source of heating which can warm the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the existing installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to top up with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it should be equipped with a thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source like an air conditioner, it may require some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications to details on 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 provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about understanding the fact that dry air is less difficult to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or Skylight requirements to have the ability open to the outside and remain fixed in an open position in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your home with a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture generating item will require appropriate extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Haywards

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory for all rent homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation meets this new quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and will also make an easier task to allow the house to keep heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 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 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 It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow and prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s often what you don’t see that can become a big problem and cause damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring 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 Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Haywards include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Haywards for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to check when conducting the home review to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice, call today to book your rental properties house evaluation.