Healthy Homes Assessment Gracefield

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must make sure that 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 rental properties must be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be done and provide a report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes associated fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties as well as fully certified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Gracefield rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Gracefield rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out which could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It is important to remember that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are given for the most serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in huge fines, in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and make arrangements to have an house assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households homes in New Zealand and Gracefield, and research has shown that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating and tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. In addition, people who experience four or more key house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Gracefield rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and living due to illnesses. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping on Gracefield rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss having a Gracefield Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Gracefield

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside households. A draughty house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the air is clear out of a hole or gap and you can feel it, it is most likely a gap or hole that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out into the house need to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for the movement of the building when the house heats and cools, so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will test every window and door in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for healthy houses

Heating Gracefield

Rental properties in Gracefield must have a fixed heating source that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), then it must have an thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a central heating source, such as an air conditioner, it may need a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Gracefield

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

This ventilation quality is all about recognising how dried air can be 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 areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable and do not need an opening door or window.

Each door, window or skylight requirements to be able of opening to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your house that houses shower, bath cooker or any other moisture-producing item will need appropriate extractor fans that vent towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

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

A dry and warm house is an ideal home

Insulation Gracefield

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory to all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation is up to current standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might need 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 more easy to allow the house to keep warmth.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 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 quality.

Gracefield Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building but you must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water and prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s frequently what you don’t see that could be a huge problem that can cause the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from rising into the building. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Gracefield

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through The Healthy Homes Standards in Gracefield include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Gracefield for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to check during the house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenant services ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional advice, call today to book your rental properties home evaluation.