Healthy Homes Assessment Gracefield

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure their Gracefield rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new 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 check 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 of the tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be completed and offer an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes associated fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties as well as fully qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Gracefield rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be finished by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new or renewed lease is entered into on the Gracefield rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t 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 an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

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

It is important to remember that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved only for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and ask us to conduct a home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households rent homes in New Zealand and Gracefield, and research indicates that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who report at least four major housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Improving the quality of Gracefield rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping within Gracefield rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss getting a Gracefield Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Gracefield

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in homes. A cold house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draught can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it’s probably a gap or hole which needs sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out within the house require seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

You don’t require to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for the movement of the building as the house warms and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will test the windows and doors in your 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 Gracefield

Rental properties in Gracefield require a reliable heating source that can heat the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to top up by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump it needs to have a thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source like heat pumps, it may need some additional energy to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Gracefield

Every living space of a rental home must have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about understanding that dried air can be less difficult to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable and are not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements at least open to the outside, and stay closed in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will need adequate extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

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

A warm dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Gracefield

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory on all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and it will make an easier task to allow the home to hold the heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The higher 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 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Gracefield Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go and stop it from coming into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is typically what you don’t see that could be a huge problem, causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure 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.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from rising into the property. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Gracefield

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

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Gracefield for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to be able to examine when conducting a home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a Tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental property home evaluation.