Healthy Homes Assessment Twyford

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure that their Twyford rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks which needs to be completed, and provide an evaluation report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re fully certified for both 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, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Twyford rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be done inside of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out It could also be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it is updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It’s important to keep in mind that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for severe breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in significant fines and still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have a home evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households in New Zealand and Twyford, and research suggests that rental homes tend to be colder, older and have less effective heating and tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. In addition, people who report four or more key home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Enhancing the quality of Twyford rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to health issues. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs over the long term.

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

Get started now and contact us about the Twyford Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Twyford

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A cold house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap that is, it is probably a gap or crack that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out from the house require the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as much as possible.

You don’t need to block off gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for the movement of the structure as the house warms and cools so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will inspect all windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Twyford

Twyford rental properties need to have a stable source of heat which can warm the largest or main living room to at least 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The heating source needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to top up with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, then it must have an thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source, such as an air conditioner, it might need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the standard as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Twyford

Every living space of a rental property has to have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about recognising that dry air will be less difficult to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable and therefore do not need an opening window or door.

Every window, door or skylight requirements to be able to open up to the outside while remaining at an open angle in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your house that houses a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture-producing item will require appropriate extractor fans which are vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Twyford

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory in all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure the insulation meets current standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and will also make much easier to the household to keep warmth.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

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 to allow surface, rain and ground water to go, and stop it from coming into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s usually the things you don’t notice that could become a major issue and end up causing damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to have effective drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

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

An underground moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from entering the building. It also helps to 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 Twyford

Property rental areas that are affected to 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 look over during the house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenant solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For professional advice get in touch now and schedule your rental property house evaluation.