Healthy Homes Assessment Gracefield

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware 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 a renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely certified by 1 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 if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about any work that requirements to be completed, and provide an evaluation report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes related fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re fully certified to assess 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, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Gracefield rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be finished inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Gracefield rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as being the person leasing the property out and it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and must be updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It is crucial to note that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given only for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in significant fines and still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and request a house evaluation performed on your rental property.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Gracefield, and research indicates that rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating and have lower quality than the houses of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who experience at least four key home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Gracefield rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and living due to illnesses. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means 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 Draught Stopping for Gracefield rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about receiving a Gracefield Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Gracefield

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in houses. A humid house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap, then it’s most likely a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out from the house require sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no require to block off gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow movement of the building when the household warms and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Gracefield

Rental properties in Gracefield need to have a stable source of heat which can warm the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), then it must include an thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source, like heat pumps, it might just require an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Gracefield

Each living space within the rental property should have at least one opening window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about acknowledging how the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable and don’t require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open up to the outside and remain at an open angle, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will need appropriate extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Gracefield

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory in all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure the insulation meets current quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may require to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and will also make more easy for the household to hold the heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

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

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Gracefield Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s often what you don’t see that could be a huge problem that can cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from rising into the home. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Gracefield

Property rental areas that are affected with the Healthy Homes Standard in Gracefield include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Gracefield for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to look over in a home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property home evaluation.