Healthy Homes Assessment Haywards

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure that their Haywards rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by 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 standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be completed and offer an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under 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 healthy homes related fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, and are completely qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6791

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

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

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they may be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is leasing the property out and it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for severe violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in large fines in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have a home evaluation performed on your rental property.

See the full details for details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Haywards, and research indicates that rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who reported four or more major housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Enhancing the standard of Haywards rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living because of illnesses. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control on 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 can lead to low temperatures inside households. A damp house will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it’s likely a crack or an opening that needs sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out of the house require the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as much as possible.

You don’t require to block off holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement of the structure when the house gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be opened and closed rather than securing. We will inspect every window and door in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Haywards

Haywards rental properties must have a fixed source of heating that is able to heat the living space to at least 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the current installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to top up with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it should have the thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as the heat pump, it may require some additional energy to make sure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the quality as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Haywards

Every living space in a rental property has to have at least one openable door or window to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about acknowledging that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered living spaces and therefore don’t need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or Skylight needs to be able to open up to the outside and remain fixed in an open position to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your house that houses shower, bath or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will require adequate extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A warm dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Haywards

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory to all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation meets the new quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may need to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and it will make much easier for the household to hold heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and 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 - 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 standard.

Haywards Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is frequently those things that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem and cause damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Haywards

The areas of rental property that are affected by The 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 many concerns to check when conducting a home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today and book your rental properties house evaluation.