Healthy Homes Assessment Twyford

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure their Twyford rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about any work required. needs to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental property, we are completely certified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 856 525

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Twyford rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of approximately $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 responsible to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct when the tenancy agreement is signed. It must be updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It’s crucial to be aware that landlords who have multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are given for serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have a home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

Check out the complete details of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households the property in New Zealand and Twyford, and research indicates that rental homes are likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who reported four or more key house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Twyford rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to health issues. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs over 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 as Draught stopping for Twyford rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Twyford

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A damp house costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a gap or hole that is, it is most likely a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out from your home need the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped as far as possible.

There is no need to block off holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow movement of the structure as the home is heated and cools to allow them to be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will examine every window and door in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Twyford

Twyford rental properties must have a fixed source of heat which can warm the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if your current installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat source, it requirements to be equipped with a thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source like heat pumps, it might require an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the quality as they are either costly, not affordable to run, or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Twyford

Each liveable space in a rental property has to contain at minimum one open doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about understanding the fact that dry air will be less difficult to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or Skylight requirements to have the ability to open up to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your property with shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will require appropriate extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is an ideal house

Insulation Twyford

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and also makes an easier task to allow the house to retain the heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Twyford Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s frequently not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble, causing the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a place to go and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Twyford

Rental property areas affected to the Healthy Homes Standard in Twyford include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Twyford for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns you should look for during an house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today to book your rental property home evaluation.