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 now have to make sure 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 rentals must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks required. requirements to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors for rental properties, as well as fully certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Haywards rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they will receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

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

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate when the tenancy contract is executed, and it must be updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s important to keep in mind that landlords who have several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are reserved for severe violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct a house inspection performed on your rental property.

See the full details for this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households rent from New Zealand and Haywards, and research indicates that rental homes tend to be colder, older and have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who reported at least four major home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Haywards rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and living because of illnesses. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control on Haywards rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss getting a Haywards Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Haywards

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within households. A humid home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the air is clear out of a hole or gap and you can feel it, it’s likely a crack or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out into the house need seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no require to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow movement of the structure as the house is heated and cools so that they can still be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will inspect the windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for well-being homes

Heating Haywards

Haywards rental properties need to have a stable source of heat that can heat the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. 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" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat source, it must include the thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might just need some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Haywards

Every living space in a rental property has to contain at minimum one open door or window to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about acknowledging it is that dry air is easier to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t liveable and therefore are not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or Skylight needs to be able open to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your home with a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture generating item will require suitable extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Haywards

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory to all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation meets current standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and will also make more easy to the house to keep warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

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

Haywards Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go, and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s frequently not apparent that it can become a big problem that can cause damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to be equipped with effective drainage to remove storm water, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a location to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from rising into the home. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

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 Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Haywards for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to look over when conducting the house assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the Tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental properties home evaluation.