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 now have to ensure their Haywards rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property and determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work required. requirements to be done, and offer the report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, and are fully certified to assess both 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 new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Haywards rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be finished within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Haywards rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they can receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as being the person renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it is updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It is important to remember that landlords with multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved only for serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in 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 today and request a home inspection performed for your rental property.

Get the full description of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Haywards, and research indicates that rental houses tend to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the houses of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who experience at least four major house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

The improvement in the quality of Haywards rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of illness. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping in Haywards rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Haywards

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A damp house is more expensive to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap or crack, then it is likely a crack or hole that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out into your house require sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent possible.

There is no need to block off holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for the movement of the building when the household warms and cools in order to let them be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will test every window and door during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Haywards

Haywards rental properties should have a permanent source of heating that can warm the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the current installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it should include an thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like small apartments an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as the heat pump, it might require some additional energy to make sure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the standard because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Haywards

Each liveable space in a rental property has to have at least one opening window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation quality is about recognising how dried air can be more easy to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore don’t need an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements at least to open to the outside and remain closed in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your house that houses a bath, shower cooker or any other humidity-generating items will need adequate extractor fans that are vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Haywards

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory to all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure the insulation meets the new quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may need to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and also makes it easier to allow the household to hold warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

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

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

Haywards Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water and also stop it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s usually not apparent that it could become a major issue and cause the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from rising into the property. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Find out all the details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Haywards

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through the Healthy Homes Standard in Haywards include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Haywards for Rental Properties

There are many things to be able to examine during a home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental properties home assessment.