Healthy Homes Assessment Grenada North

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 must ensure that their Grenada North rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in 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 requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks which requirements to be completed and offer the report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re 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

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on a Grenada North rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new or renewed contract is signed on the Grenada North rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and must be updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is important to note that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct a home assessment done for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households rent from New Zealand and Grenada North, and research indicates that rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating and have lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who experience four or more major house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the standard of Grenada North rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of illness. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught stopping on Grenada North rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Grenada North Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Grenada North

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within homes. A humid home is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole, then it’s likely a crack or crack that needs sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of your home require seals. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as much as imaginable.

You don’t require to block gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement within the structure as the household warms and cools so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will inspect every window and door during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for healthy houses

Heating Grenada North

Rental properties in Grenada North need to have a stable heating source which can warm the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it must be equipped with a thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a central heating source like the heat pump, it might need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Grenada North

Every living space of a rental home must include at least one open window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

This ventilation standard is about recognising the fact that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable and do not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or Skylight requirements at least of opening to the outside and remain at an open angle to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your property with shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will need proper extractor fan systems that are vented 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 with high moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Grenada North

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required for all rent houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation meets this new standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and it will make it easier to the household to retain heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more efficient the insulation.

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

Grenada North Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the inside It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s often not apparent that it could be a huge problem and end up causing damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from getting into the property. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Grenada North

Property rental areas that are affected with the Healthy Homes Standards in Grenada North include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Grenada North for Rental Properties

There are many things you should look for during the house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional advice get in touch now and schedule your rental property house assessment.