Healthy Homes Assessment Gracefield

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure 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 evaluate your rental property to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work needed to be completed. requirements to be completed and provide an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes associated fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, we are completely certified to evaluate each of 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 tasks 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 comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the lease contract as the person who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it is updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It’s also crucial to remember that landlords who have multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for severe breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and request a house evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households the property in New Zealand and Gracefield, and research has shown that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who reported at least four major house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

The improvement in the standard of Gracefield rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of health issues. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards 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 can lead to less temperature in homes. A draughty house costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a hole or gap, then it is likely a crack or hole which needs sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of the home require the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as possible.

You don’t require to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow movement of the structure as the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will check the windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for well-being homes

Heating Gracefield

Rental properties in Gracefield should have a permanent source of heating which can warm the living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the current installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it must have the thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source like a heat pump, then it may need an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the quality because they’re expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Gracefield

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one opening doors or windows to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about acknowledging the fact that dry air is less difficult to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t liveable , and thus don’t require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or Skylight needs at least to open up to the outside, but remain closed, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your house that houses shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will need proper extractor fan systems that are vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Gracefield

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required to all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and it will make it easier to allow the home to hold heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Gracefield Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is frequently what you don’t see that could be a huge problem, causing damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to have efficient drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the building. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor 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 to Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Gracefield include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Gracefield for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to be able to examine in the home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenancy services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property house evaluation.