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 of July 2021? Landlords must ensure that their Haywards rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to 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 standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks which requirements to be completed, and provide an evaluation report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes related fines.

We are fully 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

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on a Haywards rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be finished by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct when the tenancy agreement is signed. It is updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It is also important to be aware that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and request an house inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households rent in New Zealand and Haywards, and research has shown that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who experience four or more major issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Haywards rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of health issues. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping within Haywards rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about the Haywards Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Haywards

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A humid house costs more to heat, which results in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap or crack, then it is most likely a gap or an opening that needs sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out within your home need sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as imaginable.

There is no need to block gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow movement of the building when the household warms and cools to allow them to be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will test all doors and windows during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for healthy homes

Heating Haywards

Rental properties in Haywards require a reliable source of heat that can warm the largest or main living space to at least 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the existing fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it needs to have an thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. For most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, such as an air conditioner, it might just need an update in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the quality because they’re expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

See the full details on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Haywards

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one opening window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about understanding the fact that dry air will be more easy to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not living spaces and therefore are not require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or skylight requirements to be able open to the outside and remain set in an opening position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your home that has shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Haywards

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required on all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure the insulation meets the new standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and also makes much easier to allow the house to retain the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all area of 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

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

Haywards Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is often not apparent that it could be a huge problem and cause the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and also 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 the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Haywards

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

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Haywards for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to be able to examine in a home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an Tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental properties home evaluation.