Healthy Homes Assessment Gracefield

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure their Gracefield rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

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

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

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, as well as completely qualified 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, if a new or renewed contract 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 brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Gracefield rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as the one who is letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be current before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It is updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It’s also crucial to remember that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for severe violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and arrange to have a home inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households rent homes in New Zealand and Gracefield, and research shows us that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more major housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Gracefield rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to diseases. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control on Gracefield rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss the Gracefield Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Gracefield

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in homes. A cold house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it’s likely a crack or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out from the house need the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated whenever possible.

There is no need to block holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for the movement of the structure when the household gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will examine all windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for well-being houses

Heating Gracefield

Gracefield rental properties need to have a stable source of heat which can warm the largest or main living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if your current installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it should include a thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source like heat pumps, it may require some additional energy to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Gracefield

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one opening doors or windows to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about acknowledging it is that dry air is more easy to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or Skylight needs at least of opening to the outside while remaining at an open angle, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your property with shower, bath cooker or any other water-generating appliance will require proper extractor fan systems that are vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

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

A cozy dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Gracefield

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required for all rent homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation meets current quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and it will make much easier for the home to keep the heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 underfloor 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 this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Gracefield Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is typically those things that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue, causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to have efficient drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water is able to go, and it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

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

Check out the complete 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 through The Healthy Homes Standards in Gracefield include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Gracefield for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to check when conducting a house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenant services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental property house evaluation.