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 are now required to ensure that their Grenada North rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work that needs 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 meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, we are fully qualified to assess both 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 tenancy is signed for a Grenada North rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be completed within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who offer a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it must be updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It is crucial to remember that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest 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 high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and make arrangements to have an house assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households from New Zealand and Grenada North, and research suggests that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than the houses of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are associated with negative health results, specifically for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who report four or more major issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Grenada North rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and daily life due to health issues. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping for Grenada North rental properties.

Begin now by calling about receiving a Grenada North Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Grenada North

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in houses. A damp home costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap or crack, then it is probably a gap or hole that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out within the home require to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated whenever imaginable.

You don’t need to block up intentional gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement within the structure when the home heats and cools, so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will inspect every window and door as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for healthy homes

Heating Grenada North

Grenada North rental properties require a reliable heating source that can heat the largest or main living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat source, it must be equipped with a thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a central heating source like a heat pump, then it may require an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Grenada North

Every living space of a rental property must have at least one openable doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about recognising it is that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable and therefore do not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or the skylight needs at least to open up to the outside, but remain set in an opening position to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your property with a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture-producing item will require proper extractor fan systems that vent to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

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

A cozy dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Grenada North

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement on all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation is in line with the new quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and will also make more easy to the house to hold warmth.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Grenada North Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the inside It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and stop it from coming into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble, causing the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between your flooring and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from entering the structure. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

See the full 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 to Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Grenada North include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Grenada North for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to check when conducting a home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenancy services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice, call today to schedule your rental properties house assessment.