Healthy Homes Assessment Twyford

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required 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 completely 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 evaluate your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks needed to be completed. needs to be done, and provide an assessment report that includes all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes connected fines.

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

Call Now 0800 232 113

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

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

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there could 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 reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they may receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

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

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It is updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It is also crucial to keep in mind that landlords who own multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved only for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in massive fines as well as still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have an home assessment done on your rental property.

Find the full information on the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households in New Zealand and Twyford, and research suggests that rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally have lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Additionally, those who report at least four major housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Improving the quality of Twyford rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means 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, and Draught Stopping for Twyford rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Twyford

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within households. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the air is clear out of a hole or gap that is, it is probably a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into the house need sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as far as imaginable.

You don’t need to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for the movement of the structure as the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will inspect all windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Twyford

Rental properties in Twyford need to have a stable source of heating that is able to heat the main or largest living room to at least 18degC, even during 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 outlook.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top-up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it should be equipped with an thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source such as the heat pump, it might need some additional energy to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Twyford

Each liveable space in a rental property has to include at least one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about recognising the fact 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, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered living spaces and therefore are not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or the skylight needs to be able to open to the outside while remaining set in an opening position to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your property with shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will need adequate extractor fans that are vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

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

A cozy dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Twyford

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement to all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that 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 might need to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and also makes much easier to allow the home to retain heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of the 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, underfloor R 1.3

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

Twyford Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and stop it from coming inside. When it is about damp and water, it is often what you don’t see that could become a major issue, causing damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between the floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the property. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Twyford

Rental property areas affected with Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Twyford include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Twyford for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to check when conducting the home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenant services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch now and schedule your rental properties house assessment.