Healthy Homes Assessment Gracefield

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure that their Gracefield rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties 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 if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work which needs to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes associated fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re fully certified to assess 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, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Gracefield rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be taken care of within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Gracefield rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they may be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is 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.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s crucial to remember that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for severe violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and request an house inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Gracefield, and research indicates that rental homes are likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and have lower quality than the homes of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who have reported four or more major housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

The improvement in the standard of Gracefield rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and living because of illness. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping for 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 may lead to less temperature in households. A humid house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap, then it’s likely to be a gap or hole which requirements sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out into your house need seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as far as imaginable.

There is no need to block holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the building as the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will inspect every window and door as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Gracefield

Rental properties in Gracefield need to have a stable heating source which can warm the living space to at least 18degC even on 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 wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check 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 portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat source, it must include an thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and efficient. For most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a central heating source such as the heat pump, it might need a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the standard since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Gracefield

Every living space in a rental home must have at least one openable doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about recognising the fact that dry air will be easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or Skylight needs to be able to open to the outside and remain at an open angle to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will need adequate extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

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

A warm dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Gracefield

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory to all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation is in line with the new standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and will also make it easier to allow the house to hold warmth.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire 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

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s often those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue and cause damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to have effective drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Gracefield

Rental property areas affected by Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Gracefield include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Gracefield for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to check in the home review to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenancy services ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today and book your rental property house assessment.