Healthy Homes Assessment Twyford

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords must ensure their Twyford rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks needed to be completed. needs to be done, and provide an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes associated fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re completely qualified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 365 444

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Twyford rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be done within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Twyford rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they may receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s also crucial to remember that a landlord who own multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are handed down for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and request an home evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households from New Zealand and Twyford, and research has shown that these rental houses tend to be colder, older and have less efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who experience four or more key issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Twyford rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and living because of diseases. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less maintenance costs 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 stopping for Twyford rental properties.

Start now and call about getting a Twyford Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Twyford

Draughts can lead to less temperature in houses. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or a clear draught out of a hole or gap, then it’s likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out from your house need sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t need to block gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement within the building as the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will check all windows and doors as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Twyford

Rental properties in Twyford should have a permanent source of heat that can warm the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top-up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), then it must include a thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, 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 fixed heating source, like an air conditioner, it might require some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Twyford

Every living space of a rental home must contain at minimum one open doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about acknowledging how dry air will be much easier to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered living spaces and therefore don’t need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or Skylight requirements to be able open to the outside, but remain closed in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your property with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will require adequate extractor fans that vent 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.

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

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Twyford

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory to all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure the insulation meets the new standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and also makes an easier task to the household to hold the heat.

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

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

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

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

Twyford Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building; you have to ensure 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’s typically the concerns you don’t notice that could be a huge problem and cause the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the property. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Twyford

Property rental areas that are affected to The Healthy Homes Standards in Twyford include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Twyford for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to be able to examine in an home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert advice, call now and schedule your rental properties house evaluation.