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 make sure that their Grenada North rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed 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 will assess your rental property to check 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 done, and offer an evaluation report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes connected fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, and are fully 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, when a new or renewed contract is signed on a Grenada North rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be completed inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it must be updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It’s important to remember that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and request a home evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Grenada North, and research shows us that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who have reported at least four major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Improving the quality of Grenada North rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and living due to diseases. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Grenada North

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside households. A humid home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or a clear draught out of a hole or gap, then it’s likely a crack or hole that needs sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out from the home need sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as far as possible.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow movement of the structure when the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will test all doors and windows in an 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

Rental properties in Grenada North must have a fixed source of heating that is able to heat the largest or main living space to at least 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 as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it should have an thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a central heating source, like heat pumps, it might just need an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Grenada North

Every living space of a rental property has to have at least one openable door or window to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is about recognising it is that dried air can be less difficult to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or Skylight needs for them to be in a position to open up to the outside and remain closed in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will need proper extractor fan systems that vent 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 in high moisture areas.

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

A dry and warm home is an ideal home

Insulation Grenada North

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure the insulation meets current quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might require to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness as well as making more easy to the household to keep the heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

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

Grenada North Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is frequently what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from rising into the building. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Grenada North

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Grenada North for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things you should look for during a home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an Tenancy services ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert advice get in touch now and schedule your rental property home evaluation.