Healthy Homes Assessment Twyford

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks which needs to be completed and provide an assessment report that includes all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes connected fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, and are fully certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 856 525

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Twyford rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be completed within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy 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 comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

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

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and is updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It’s important to be aware that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have an house 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 Twyford, and research has shown that these rental houses are likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who report at least four key home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Improving the standard of Twyford rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of illness. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping in 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 low temperatures inside houses. A humid home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap that is, it’s probably a gap or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out within your house require seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as possible.

There is no require to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement within the structure when the household warms and cools so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will inspect the windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for healthy houses

Heating Twyford

Rental properties in Twyford need to have a stable heating source that can heat the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it requirements to have the thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source, such as an air conditioner, it might just need some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Twyford

Every living space in a rental home must have at least one openable doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

This ventilation quality is all about acknowledging how dry air will be more easy to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t liveable , and thus don’t require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or skylight requirements to have the ability to open up to the outside while remaining closed, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your property with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will require suitable extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is a healthy house

Insulation Twyford

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required on all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation is up to current standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and will also make an easier task to allow the household to retain heat.

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 can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.

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

Find out all the details about the 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 inside of the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s usually the things you don’t notice that can become a big problem, causing damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Twyford

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through the Healthy Homes Standard in Twyford include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Twyford for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to check when conducting the home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an Tenancy services ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today and book your rental properties home assessment.