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? The landlords are now required to ensure their Grenada North 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 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 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 required. requirements to be done, and provide an assessment report that includes all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties and are fully qualified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Grenada North rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Grenada North rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It must be updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for severe violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct an home evaluation performed for your rental property.

See the full details for details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households rent from New Zealand and Grenada North, and research suggests that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and are of lower quality than the houses of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative health results, specifically for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who experience at least four key home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Improve the quality of Grenada North rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to health issues. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught stopping for Grenada North rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about getting a Grenada North Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Grenada North

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside homes. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap that is, it’s most likely a gap or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out from the home need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped whenever possible.

There is no require to block gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for the movement of the building when the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will check the windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Grenada North

Grenada North rental properties must have a fixed source of heating which can warm the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether your current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it should have an thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. In most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source like the heat pump, it might need an update to meet 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 unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Grenada North

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one opening window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about recognising that dry air will be easier to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable and therefore don’t need an opening door or window.

Each door, window or the skylight requirements at least of opening to the outside while remaining set in an opening position to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your home that has shower, bath or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Grenada North

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory in all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is up to the new quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and also makes much easier to allow the house to keep the heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of the 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

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

Grenada North Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s usually what you don’t see that could be a huge problem, causing damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to have effective drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the structure. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Grenada North

Areas of rental properties that are impacted by The Healthy Homes Standard in Grenada North include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Grenada North for Rental Properties

There are many concerns you should look for in a home review to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today to schedule your rental properties home assessment.