Healthy Homes Assessment Gracefield

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords must ensure their Gracefield rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties are required to be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks needed to be completed. needs to be done and offer a report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’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 found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes relevant fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, we are fully certified for 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 tenancy is signed on a Gracefield rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be finished inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed lease is entered into on a Gracefield rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It’s also important to be aware that landlords who own multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for the most serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and arrange to have an house inspection performed on your rental property.

Get the full description of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Gracefield, and research suggests that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Furthermore, people who experience at least four key home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improve the quality of Gracefield rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living because of diseases. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping on Gracefield rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Gracefield

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

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a crack or a gap, then it’s most likely a gap or hole that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into the home need seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as far as imaginable.

There is no require to block off holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure when the house is heated and cools to allow them to be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will inspect all windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Gracefield

Rental properties in Gracefield should have a permanent source of heat which can warm the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW 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 your current installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. In most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source such as heat pumps, it might require some additional energy to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the quality because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Gracefield

Every living space in the rental property should contain at minimum one open door or window to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

The ventilation quality is about recognising the fact that dry air is less difficult to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or skylight needs at least to open to the outside, but remain at an open angle in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your home with a bath, shower cooker or any other water-generating appliance will require appropriate extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Gracefield

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required in all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and will also make it easier to the home to hold the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the 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 and underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Gracefield Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s usually the things you don’t notice that can become a big problem and end up causing damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the building. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Gracefield

Areas of rental properties that are impacted by The Healthy Homes Standards in Gracefield include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Gracefield for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns you should look for during an house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an Tenancy services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice, call today to schedule your rental property home evaluation.