Healthy Homes Assessment Gracefield

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Gracefield rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must 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 standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks required. requirements to be done and offer an assessment report that includes all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes connected fines.

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

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Gracefield rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be finished within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed contract is signed 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 within the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it is updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It’s also crucial to remember that landlords who manage multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in significant fines and still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and make arrangements to have an home evaluation performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Gracefield, and research shows us that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who experience four or more major issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Improve the quality of Gracefield rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of health issues. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress 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 today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Gracefield

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in homes. A damp home costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within your house require seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped whenever possible.

There is no require to block gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement within the structure as the home warms and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Gracefield

Gracefield rental properties require a reliable heating source that can warm the living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the existing installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump it must include an thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source, such as an air conditioner, it might just need a top up to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the quality because they’re costly, not affordable to run, or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Gracefield

Every living space in a rental house must contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

The ventilation quality is about recognising the fact that dried air can be much easier to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus are not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door or the skylight requirements to have the ability of opening to the outside, but remain closed, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your home that has a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will need suitable extractor fans that vent out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

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

A cozy dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Gracefield

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement to all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation is in line with current standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may require to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and it will make it easier for the house to hold warmth.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest 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 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Gracefield Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move and stop it from coming inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s usually those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem that can cause damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the property. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Gracefield

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Gracefield for Rental Properties

There are many things you should look for in a house assessment to see if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today to book your rental property house evaluation.