Healthy Homes Assessment Twyford

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must make sure 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 fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of the work needed to be completed. requirements to be completed, and offer an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes associated fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, as well as completely certified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

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 on a Twyford rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be completed by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Twyford rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the new, 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 home they reside in. If the property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it must be updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It’s also important to remember that landlords who own several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and request an house evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Twyford, and research suggests that rental houses tend to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

Improving the standard of Twyford rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to diseases. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught-stopping for Twyford rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Twyford

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside homes. A cold house is more expensive to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a gap or hole or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or an opening that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into the house need the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as imaginable.

You don’t require to cover up gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement within the structure as the home heats and cools, so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will inspect every window and door as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Twyford

Twyford rental properties must have a fixed source of heat that is able to heat the main or largest living room to at least 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the current fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat source, it should include a thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source such as a heat pump, then it might just need an upgrade to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Twyford

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one opening door or window to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about acknowledging that dry air will be much easier to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or the skylight needs at least open to the outside, and stay set in an opening position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your home with a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture generating item will require appropriate extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Twyford

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation meets current quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and will also make much easier to allow the house to hold the heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

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

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

Twyford Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s typically not apparent that it can become a big problem and end up causing damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to remove rainwater, storm water and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the building. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Twyford

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Twyford include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Twyford for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to be able to examine during an home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenant services ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For expert guidance, contact us today to book your rental properties home assessment.