Healthy Homes Assessment Gracefield

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Gracefield rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must be completely 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 evaluate your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work required. needs to be done, and provide an assessment report that includes all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements 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 $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes relevant fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties and are completely qualified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Gracefield rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be taken care of within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new or renewed contract is signed on a Gracefield rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It’s important to keep in mind that landlords with multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are reserved for severe breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and request a house assessment performed for 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?

Around 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Gracefield, and research suggests that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than the homes of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative health outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who have reported four or more key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

Improve the quality of Gracefield rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and living because of health issues. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping for Gracefield rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Gracefield

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in households. A damp house is more expensive to heat, which completed jobs in wasting money and energy.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap or crack, then it is most likely a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out within the home require seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement within the structure as the household is heated and cools so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will inspect every window and door in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are crucial for healthy homes

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 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it should include the thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source like the heat pump, it might just need a top up to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the quality as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Gracefield

Every living space in a rental property must include at least one open door or window to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation standard is all about understanding that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or skylight requirements for them to be in a position of opening to the outside while remaining closed to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your property with a bath, shower and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will need suitable extractor fans that are vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A dry and warm house is an ideal house

Insulation Gracefield

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required for all rent houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation is up to current quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and will also make much easier for the home to hold heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

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

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Gracefield Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building It’s about having to 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 is frequently those things that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to have efficient drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Gracefield

Rental property areas affected through The Healthy Homes Standards in Gracefield include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Gracefield for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to check during the house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenant solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice, call now and schedule your rental property home assessment.