Healthy Homes Assessment Haywards

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that their Haywards rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks which requirements to be done, and offer a report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties and are fully certified to assess both 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 brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Haywards rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be completed by the end of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they may be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the lease contract as the person leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s also crucial to remember that landlords who manage multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given only for serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and request a home evaluation performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Haywards, and research shows us that these rental houses tend to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who report four or more key house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the standard of Haywards rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and living because of diseases. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control within Haywards rental properties.

Start now and call about having a Haywards Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Haywards

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within homes. A humid house costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap and you can feel it, it is likely to be a gap or an opening that needs sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out of the house need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped whenever possible.

There is no require to block off holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement within the structure as the home is heated and cools in order to let them be closed and opened rather than securing. We will examine all windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Haywards

Rental properties in Haywards should have a permanent source of heating which can warm the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the current fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it should be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like small apartments an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might need a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality because they’re expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Haywards

Each liveable space in a rental property has to contain at minimum one open doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about understanding the fact that dried air can be much easier to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable and do not need an opening window or door.

Each door, window or Skylight requirements to have the ability open to the outside and remain closed to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your home with shower, bath cooker or any other moisture-producing item will require proper extractor fan systems that can be vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Haywards

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory in all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure the insulation meets this new standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness as well as making it easier to allow the household to retain warmth.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the standard of insulation.

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

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Haywards Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is often not apparent that it could become a major issue, causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about 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 Standards 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 during a house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenant services ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental property home evaluation.