Healthy Homes Assessment Haywards

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure 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 rental properties are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can 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 that requirements to be done, and offer a report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, as well as completely certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Haywards rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be completed within 90 days.

As of 1st July 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.

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty approximately $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property and it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be maintained through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It’s important to note that a landlord with several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for the most serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and arrange to have a home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households homes in New Zealand and Haywards, and research suggests that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. In addition, people who experience four or more key home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Improving the standard of Haywards rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less costs of maintenance in the long run.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Haywards

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within homes. A cold home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap or crack, then it’s most likely a gap or hole which needs sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from the house need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as imaginable.

You don’t need to cover up gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement of the structure when the home is heated and cools to allow them to be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect all doors and windows in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is important for well-being homes

Heating Haywards

Rental properties in Haywards must have a fixed heating source that can warm the main or largest living space to at least 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 and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it should include an thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a central heating source, such as heat pumps, it could need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Haywards

Each liveable space in a rental property has to have at least one opening doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about recognising it is that dried air can be easier to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable , and thus are not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or the skylight needs at least of opening to the outside and remain fixed in an open position in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your property with a bath, shower and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will need suitable extractor fans that 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.

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 required in all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation meets current standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, as well as making it easier to the household to retain heat.

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 insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

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

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Haywards Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go and stop it from coming into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is often those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem that can cause damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have effective drainage to remove storm water, surface water and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from rising 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

Property rental areas that are affected with Healthy Homes Standard. 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 concerns to look over during a house review to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a Tenancy services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional advice get in touch today to book your rental property house assessment.