Healthy Homes Assessment Gracefield

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure their Gracefield rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully conforming by the 1st 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 determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work needed to be completed. needs to be done and offer an assessment report that includes all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes associated fines.

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, as well as completely certified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Gracefield rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be finished inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Gracefield rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside 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 an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out which could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s important to keep in mind that landlords who own several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down only for serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have a home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Gracefield, and research shows us that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating and have lower quality than the homes of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who report at least four major issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Improving the standard of Gracefield rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and living because of illness. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping for Gracefield rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about the Gracefield Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Gracefield

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in homes. A damp home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the air is clear out of a hole or gap that is, it’s probably a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit into your home require the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no require to cover up holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for the movement of the building as the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will test the windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Gracefield

Rental properties in Gracefield should have a permanent source of heat that is able to heat the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top-up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it needs to include the thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as a heat pump, then it could need an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Gracefield

Every living space of the rental property should have at least one opening doors or windows to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation quality is about recognising that dry air is less difficult to heat and that 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. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore are not need an opening door or window.

Each door, window or Skylight needs to be able open to the outside, but remain at an open angle in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your home with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will require appropriate extractor fans that vent out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is an ideal house

Insulation Gracefield

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory on all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and will also make it easier for the household to keep warmth.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all area 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

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

Gracefield Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water, and also stop it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s typically not apparent that it can become a big problem and end up causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Gracefield

Rental property areas affected by The Healthy Homes Standard in Gracefield include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Gracefield for Rental Properties

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

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenancy services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist guidance, contact us today and book your rental property house evaluation.