Healthy Homes Assessment Gracefield

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to ensure that 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 fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work which requirements to be completed, and offer an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re fully certified for 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, when a new or renewed contract is signed on a Gracefield rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be completed within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on a Gracefield rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be maintained through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It is crucial to remember that landlords with several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for the most serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct a house assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Gracefield, and research suggests that rental homes are likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating and have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who report four or more major 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 allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living due to illnesses. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping 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 can lead to dropping temperatures within households. A humid house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap and you are able to feel it, it is likely a crack or hole that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out of the home need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped as much as possible.

You don’t need to block holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for the movement of the building when the house heats and cools, so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will examine every window and door in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Gracefield

Rental properties in Gracefield must have a fixed heating source that can heat the main or largest living room to at least 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the existing installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top-up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat source, it should include a thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source like an air conditioner, it could require some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Gracefield

Each living space within the rental property should contain at minimum one open door or window to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about acknowledging the fact that dry air 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 rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t liveable and don’t need an opening door or window.

Each door, window or the skylight needs to have the ability to open to the outside, and stay set in an opening position, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will require adequate extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Gracefield

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement for all rent homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation is in line with this new quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and will also make an easier task to the house to retain heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and it is a measurement 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, 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

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Gracefield Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow and prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to have efficient drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath 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 floorboards and the ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when 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 present in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of this 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 Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Gracefield include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Gracefield for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to check in a house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice, call today to schedule your rental property home assessment.