Healthy Homes Assessment Haywards

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to ensure that 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 must be completely compliant by 1 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 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 tasks required. requirements to be completed, and provide an evaluation report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors for rental properties, as well as fully qualified to evaluate 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, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Haywards rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be done by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new or renewed lease is entered into on a Haywards rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it must be updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It’s also important to note that landlords who manage several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for severe breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct a home assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households rent from New Zealand and Haywards, and research indicates that rental houses are likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating and tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who have reported at least four major issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Improve the quality of Haywards rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means less maintenance costs over the long term.

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

Contact us now to discuss having a Haywards Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Haywards

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in houses. A cold home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the air is clear from a gap or hole, then it is most likely a gap or hole that requirements sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out from your home need sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as possible.

There is no need to block holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for the movement of the building as the household is heated and cools in order to let them be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will test the windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Haywards

Haywards rental properties require a reliable source of heat that is able to heat the main or largest living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, then it must be equipped with a thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as a heat pump, then it might need an upgrade to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Haywards

Each living space within the rental property should have at least one opening window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

The ventilation standard is all about understanding it is that dry air is 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, dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not living spaces and therefore are not need an opening door or window.

Each door, window or Skylight requirements to have the ability open to the outside while remaining set in an opening position to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your property with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will need proper extractor fan systems which are vented to the outdoors. Our 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.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Haywards

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory for all rent homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation is up to current standard. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might need to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness as well as making an easier task to the house to hold the heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Haywards Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go, and stop it from coming into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is frequently those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue, causing damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from rising into the home. 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

Rental property areas affected to Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Haywards include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Haywards for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things you should look for when conducting the home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a Tenancy services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental property home assessment.