Healthy Homes Assessment Haywards

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure that their Haywards rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely certified by 1 July 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 determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work that needs to be completed and offer the report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re fully qualified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

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

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the property manager is unable to provide the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It is updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It’s crucial to note that landlords who have multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are given for the most serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and request a house assessment done for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households rent in New Zealand and Haywards, and research suggests that rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating and are of lower quality than the homes of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who reported at least four major housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Improving the standard of Haywards rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to diseases. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught stopping for 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 low temperatures inside houses. A cold house is more expensive to heat, which completed jobs in wasting money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or a clear draught from a gap or hole or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or an opening that needs sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit of the house need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated whenever imaginable.

There is no need to cover up gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow movement of the building as the house warms and cools to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will inspect every window and door as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Haywards

Rental properties in Haywards should have a permanent heating source that is able to heat the largest or main living space to at least 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current permanent 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 small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it must include the thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. In most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source like heat pumps, it might need a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard because they’re costly, not affordable to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Haywards

Every living space of a rental property must include at least one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about acknowledging that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore do not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door or the skylight requirements at least to open to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will need proper extractor fan systems that are vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

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

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Haywards

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement on all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation meets this new standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and will also make an easier task for the household to retain warmth.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values for your area

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of the 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 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Haywards Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the inside but you must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go and prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is usually the things you don’t notice that could be a huge problem that can cause damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

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

Ground moisture barriers are typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from getting into the building. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Haywards

Rental property areas affected by The Healthy Homes Standard in Haywards include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Haywards for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns you should look for when conducting the house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenant solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch now and schedule your rental property home evaluation.