Healthy Homes Assessment Haywards

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure their Haywards rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely compliant 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 determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work required. needs to be completed and offer a report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with 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 healthy homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re completely certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6791

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Haywards rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Haywards rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s important to keep in mind that landlords who have multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with significant fines and still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have an home assessment done for your rental property.

Check out the complete details of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Haywards, and research suggests that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating and have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who reported at least four major house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Haywards rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living due to health issues. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping for Haywards rental properties.

Begin now by calling about getting a Haywards Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Haywards

Draughts may lead to less temperature in houses. A damp house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap and you are able to feel it, it is probably a gap or hole that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into your home require seals. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as possible.

You don’t require to cover up gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement within the building when the house heats and cools, so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will inspect all windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for well-being homes

Heating Haywards

Rental properties in Haywards require a reliable source of heating which can warm the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat source, then it must include an thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source like an air conditioner, it may need an update to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Haywards

Every living space in a rental home must have at least one opening window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about understanding it is that dried air can be easier to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or Skylight needs at least of opening to the outside and remain closed, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your home with a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture generating item will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Haywards

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required on all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation meets current quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and also makes an easier task to allow the household to keep warmth.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the standard of 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, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and 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 interior of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water, and prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s frequently the things you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble and cause damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to have efficient drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and the ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from getting into the building. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Haywards for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to look over in the home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenancy services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today to book your rental properties home evaluation.