Healthy Homes Assessment Gracefield

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The 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 are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about the work required. requirements to be done and offer a report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, and are completely certified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

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

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they may be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as the one who is who is letting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be current when the tenancy agreement is signed. It is updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It’s also important to keep in mind that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for severe breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and request an home assessment done for your rental property.

Check out the complete details of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households rent homes in New Zealand and Gracefield, and research has shown that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who experience four or more key housing quality problems frequently have 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 as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and living due to diseases. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping within Gracefield rental properties.

Begin now by calling about having a Gracefield Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Gracefield

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within households. A humid house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or a clear draught out of a hole or gap and you can feel it, it’s probably a gap or hole which needs sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out into the home need seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as possible.

You don’t need to block off holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement within the structure when the household heats and cools, so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will test every window and door in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Gracefield

Rental properties in Gracefield require a reliable heating source that is able to heat the living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it needs to have a thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source, such as heat pumps, it might just require some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the standard because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Gracefield

Every living space of a rental property must include at least one open doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about acknowledging how the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable , and thus don’t need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or skylight requirements at least to open up to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your home that has a bath, shower and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will need proper extractor fan systems which are vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Gracefield

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement on all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and it will make much easier for the household to retain warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values of your area.

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

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

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Gracefield Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and also stop it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s usually the concerns you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have efficient drainage to remove rainwater, storm water and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a place to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between your floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the structure. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Gracefield

The areas of rental property that are affected with the Healthy Homes Standards in Gracefield include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Gracefield for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to look over when conducting a house review to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the Tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert assistance, get in touch today and book your rental properties house evaluation.