Healthy Homes Assessment Grenada North

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 must make sure their Grenada North rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work that needs to be done and offer an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties we are fully certified for both 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 Grenada North rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be done inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they may be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as the one who is letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it is updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It is crucial to be aware that landlords who own multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for severe violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with significant fines and having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct an home assessment done for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Grenada North, and research shows us that these rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as heart diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more major housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Grenada North rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and living because of illness. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Control for Grenada North rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Grenada North Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Grenada North

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A humid home is more expensive to heat, which completed jobs in wasting money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it is likely a crack or crack that requirements sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within the home need to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as far as imaginable.

You don’t need to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for the movement of the building when the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than securing. We will inspect all doors and windows in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are important for healthy homes

Heating Grenada North

Rental properties in Grenada North should have a permanent heating source that is able to heat the main or largest living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the existing installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to top up with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it must include a thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source, such as an air conditioner, it might require an upgrade to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Grenada North

Each living space within a rental house must have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

It is the ventilation standard is about recognising how the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and therefore don’t require an opening door or window.

Each door, window or Skylight requirements to have the ability open to the outside while remaining closed in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A warm dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Grenada North

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation is in line with the new quality. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and it will make an easier task for the household to hold the heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and 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 this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Grenada North Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s usually the things you don’t notice that could become a major issue, causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the building. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Grenada North

Rental property areas affected by Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Grenada North include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Grenada North for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to be able to examine in the house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For professional advice, call today to book your rental properties house assessment.