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? The landlords are now required to ensure their Gracefield rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must 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 will assess your rental property to check whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks which requirements to be completed, and offer an assessment report that includes all the information required 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 in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors for rental properties, we are fully qualified to evaluate 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, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Gracefield rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they could receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty up to $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy contract as the person 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 Compliance Statement needs to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it must be updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s important to keep in mind that a landlord who own several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in significant fines and still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct a house evaluation performed for your rental property.

See the full details for details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households rent in New Zealand and Gracefield, and research has shown that these rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who experience four or more major home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

The improvement in the quality of Gracefield rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and living due to diseases. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs 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 Draught Control in Gracefield rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Gracefield

Draughts may lead to less temperature in houses. A cold home will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or a clear draught out of a hole or gap or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or an opening that needs sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out from your house require seals. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated whenever possible.

You don’t require to block off holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for the movement of the building as the house gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will inspect all windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for healthy houses

Heating Gracefield

Gracefield rental properties need to have a stable source of heating that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll 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 safe heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump, then it must be equipped with a thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like small apartments an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source, like an air conditioner, it might just need some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, or unsafe to operate.

See the full details for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Gracefield

Every living space in a rental property has to have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

The ventilation quality is about recognising how the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements to be able to open up to the outside and remain set in an opening position to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your house that houses shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will need proper extractor fan systems which are vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Gracefield

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory in all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure the insulation meets the new quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and it will make it easier to the household to hold the heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

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

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Gracefield Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue that can cause damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to have effective drainage to remove 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 isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor 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

Property rental areas that are affected with The Healthy Homes Standards in Gracefield include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Gracefield for Rental Properties

There are many things to look over when conducting an home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property house evaluation.