Healthy Homes Assessment Grenada North

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure that their Grenada North rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely conforming by the 1st 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 the tasks needed to be completed. needs to be done and provide a report with all the details 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 in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties and are completely certified for 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, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Grenada North rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it is updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It’s important to keep in mind that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for severe violations. Those who have six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and make arrangements to have an house evaluation performed for 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 the property in New Zealand and Grenada North, and research indicates that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the houses of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

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

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Grenada North

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in houses. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap and you can feel it, it’s most likely a gap or an opening that needs sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into your house need seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as much as possible.

You don’t require to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement of the building when the home heats and cools, so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will examine the windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Grenada North

Grenada North rental properties should have a permanent source of heat which can warm the largest or main living space to a minimum of 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 wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it needs to be equipped with a thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source such as an air conditioner, it could need a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality as they are either costly, not affordable to run, or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Grenada North

Each living space within a rental property must have at least one openable door or window to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is about recognising that dried air can be more easy to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t liveable and therefore are not require an opening window or door.

Each door, window or Skylight requirements at least to open up to the outside, and stay set in an opening position, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will need proper extractor fan systems that are vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Grenada North

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement on all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and also makes more easy for the house to retain the heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation resists 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 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 the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Grenada North Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the inside but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is typically those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem and cause the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to be equipped with effective drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water is able to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Grenada North

The areas of rental property that are affected by The Healthy Homes Standard in Grenada North include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Grenada North for Rental Properties

There are many concerns you should look for in a house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert advice, call today to book your rental properties home evaluation.