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 July 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that their Twyford rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks which requirements to be completed and provide the 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 under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, as well as completely qualified to assess both 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, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Twyford rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be done by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they can receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty up to $900 for landlords or property managers who provide a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is named on the lease contract as the person letting the property out, so it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It’s also crucial to be aware that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for the most serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and request an house assessment done on your rental property.

See the full details for details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Twyford, and research shows us that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than the houses of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who reported four or more key house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Twyford rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping on Twyford rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss having a Twyford Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Twyford

Draughts may lead to less temperature in houses. A damp house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a crack or a gap and you are able to feel it, it’s probably a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out of your house need the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as imaginable.

There is no require to block gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement within the structure as the household is heated and cools to allow them to be closed and opened rather than securing. We will inspect the windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Twyford

Twyford rental properties need to have a stable source of heating which can warm the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the existing installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat source, it requirements to be equipped with the thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source, like a heat pump, then it may need an update to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Twyford

Each liveable space in a rental property has to have at least one opening window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation standard is about recognising the fact that dried air can be easier to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable and don’t need an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements to have the ability open to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will need appropriate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A warm dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Twyford

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory in all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation is in line with the new quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and will also make more easy to allow the house to keep warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

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

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Twyford Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s typically what you don’t see that could be a huge problem and cause damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from getting into the property. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Twyford

Property rental areas that are affected by The Healthy Homes Standard in Twyford include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Twyford for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to be able to examine during a home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenant solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For professional advice, call today to book your rental properties house assessment.