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 July 2021? Landlords must make sure 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 rental properties are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks needed to be completed. needs to be completed and provide the report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, we are fully qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

As of 1st July 2021, once a new or renewed contract is signed on the Haywards rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty approximately $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or 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 leasing the property out and it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate when the tenancy contract is executed, and it is updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is crucial to remember that landlords who have multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are given only for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and request an home assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households in New Zealand and Haywards, and research shows us that these rental houses tend to be older, colder, have less effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four key issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Haywards rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and living due to illness. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation 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 today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Haywards

Draughts may lead to less temperature in houses. A cold house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or hole which requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out from the house require the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t require to block off gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement within the structure as the household heats and cools, to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will examine all windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Haywards

Rental properties in Haywards need to have a stable source of heating that is able to heat the living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the current installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to top up with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump it requirements to include the thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like a heat pump, then it could need some additional energy to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Haywards

Every living space of a rental house must have at least one openable door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about acknowledging the fact that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or Skylight needs to have the ability open to the outside while remaining set in an opening position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your house that houses a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will need proper extractor fan systems which are vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Haywards

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory on all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation is up to the new quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and will also make more easy to allow the home to keep heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

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

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Haywards Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go, and stop it from coming inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s often those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem, causing damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from entering the structure. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Haywards

Property rental areas that are affected by The Healthy Homes Standards in Haywards include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Haywards for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to check during an house review to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert advice, call today to book your rental property home assessment.