Healthy Homes Assessment Haywards

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure 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 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 is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work that requirements to be done and offer an assessment report that includes all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, as well as 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, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Haywards rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be taken care of within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Haywards rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It is also important to be aware that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and make arrangements to have an house inspection performed for your rental property.

Get the full description of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households rent the property in New Zealand and Haywards, and research indicates that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who report at least four major issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Improving 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 daily life due to illness. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping in Haywards rental properties.

Begin now by calling 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 households. A damp home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be 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 getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap or crack, then it is probably a gap or hole that needs sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out within the house require the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as imaginable.

You don’t require to cover up gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for the movement of the building as the house is heated and cools so that they can still be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Haywards

Rental properties in Haywards must have a fixed heating source that can heat the main or largest living room to at least 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it should include the thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source like a heat pump, then it might just need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Haywards

Every living space of the rental property should contain at minimum one open doors or windows to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about understanding that dry air will be less difficult to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable and are not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open to the outside while remaining closed, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your home with shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will need appropriate extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Haywards

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure the insulation meets the new standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and will also make it easier to the home to keep heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of the 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

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Haywards Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface or ground water and prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s usually not apparent that it can become a big problem, causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a location to go, and it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from entering the building. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Find out all the details of 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 with the Healthy Homes Standard in Haywards include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Haywards for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to check when conducting an house review to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice, call today to book your rental property house assessment.