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? The landlords are now required to make sure that their Gracefield 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 must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work required. needs to be done and offer an evaluation report with all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental property, and are fully certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Gracefield rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be completed within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Gracefield rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is who is letting the property and it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed. It should be kept updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It is also important to be aware that landlords who own multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for the most serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and arrange to have a home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

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

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who reported four or more key home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Improving the quality of Gracefield rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping in Gracefield rental properties.

Start now and call about receiving a Gracefield Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Gracefield

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside households. A humid home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole or crack, then it is likely a crack or hole that requirements sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out of your home require to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

There is no need to block gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement of the structure as the house is heated and cools to allow them to be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will inspect every window and door during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for healthy houses

Heating Gracefield

Gracefield rental properties require a reliable heating source which can warm the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it must have the thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a central heating source such as a heat pump, then it could need some additional energy to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the quality because they’re costly, not affordable to run, or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Gracefield

Every living space in a rental property has to include at least one open window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about recognising that dry air is more easy to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t liveable and therefore do not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position open to the outside, but remain closed to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will require suitable extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Find out all the details about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Gracefield

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory for all rent houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation is in line with the new quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and also makes it easier for the house to keep the heat.

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

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

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

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Gracefield Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the inside It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s usually not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble, causing damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

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

The ground-moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of this 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 through the Healthy Homes Standard in Gracefield include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Gracefield for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to look over in an house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance 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 expert assistance, get in touch today to book your rental properties home evaluation.