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 now have to make sure their Grenada North rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely certified 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 if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work which needs to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, as well as fully certified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Grenada North rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be completed within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied 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 period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they may receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out and it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current when the tenancy contract is executed, and it is updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that landlords with several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are reserved for the most serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now 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 so important?

One in three households in New Zealand and Grenada North, and research shows us that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Enhancing the quality of Grenada North rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of illness. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control in 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 are a major cause of dropping temperatures within houses. A damp house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate 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 or crack, then it is most likely a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out within your house need sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

You don’t require to block off holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement within the building when the home is heated and cools to allow them to be opened and closed rather than securing. We will test every window and door during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Grenada North

Grenada North rental properties must have a fixed source of heating that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the existing fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to top up by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it should be equipped with an thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a central heating source like the heat pump, it may require an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Grenada North

Each liveable space in a rental property has to contain at minimum one open door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about recognising that dry air is more easy to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or Skylight requirements to be able to open to the outside while remaining closed in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will need appropriate extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Grenada North

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory to all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation meets current quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and also makes an easier task to the house to hold the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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, more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• 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 the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Grenada North Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s often those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem that can cause the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the property. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Grenada North

Property rental areas that are affected through the Healthy Homes Standard in Grenada North include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Grenada North for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to check during an home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including 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 the Tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental property home assessment.