Healthy Homes Assessment Grenada North

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Grenada North rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work required. requirements to be completed, and offer a report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties we are fully qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Grenada North rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they may be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who 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 company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It’s also crucial to remember that landlords who manage several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given only for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have a house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Grenada North, and research has shown that these rental houses are more 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 houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who experience at least four major housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Improving the quality of Grenada North rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of illness. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping within Grenada North rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Grenada North

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in houses. A cold home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap, then it’s probably a gap or hole which requirements sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within the house need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched whenever imaginable.

You don’t need to block off gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement of the building when the home heats and cools, in order to let them be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will test the windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Grenada North

Rental properties in Grenada North need to have a stable heating source that can heat the living area to at minimum 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to top up with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump it should have an thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source like an air conditioner, it might need an upgrade to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Grenada North

Each living space within the rental property should include at least one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about recognising the fact that dry air will be less difficult to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable , and thus do not require an opening window or door.

Each door, window or skylight requirements to be able open to the outside, but remain closed in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your house that houses a bath, shower, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will need adequate extractor fans that vent out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

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

A dry and warm house is an ideal home

Insulation Grenada North

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required in all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation meets this new standard. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and it will make an easier task to the home to retain warmth.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better the insulation.

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

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

Grenada North Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the inside it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow and stop it from coming inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically those things that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue, causing damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a location to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

See the full details of the 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 The Healthy Homes Standards in Grenada North include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Grenada North for Rental Properties

There are many things to be able to examine during the home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a Tenancy services ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental properties home evaluation.