Healthy Homes Assessment Grenada North

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must make sure 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 completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work that requirements to be done, and provide an evaluation report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes connected fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, and are fully certified to assess both 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 brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Grenada North rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they could be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is letting the property out It could also be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It’s also important to be aware that a landlord who own multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for severe violations. Those who have more than six 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 resulting in massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and ask us to conduct an house evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

Check out the complete details of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households rent from New Zealand and Grenada North, and research shows us that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating and have lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who experience four or more major housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Improving the quality of Grenada North rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

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 the Grenada North Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Grenada North

Draughts can lead to less temperature in households. A humid home costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap and you are able to feel it, it is likely to be a gap or hole that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out of the house require to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped as much as possible.

You don’t require to block holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow movement of the structure as the home is heated and cools to allow them to be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will examine the windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for healthy homes

Heating Grenada North

Grenada North rental properties should have a permanent source of heating which can warm the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if your current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it should have the thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source such as the heat pump, it might need an update to ensure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Grenada North

Each liveable space in a rental property has to have at least one openable door or window to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

The ventilation quality is all about understanding how dry air is easier to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or the skylight needs for them to be in a position open to the outside and remain set in an opening position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your house that houses shower, bath cooker or any other water-generating appliance will require appropriate extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A dry and warm house is a healthy house

Insulation Grenada North

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory on all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure the insulation meets this new standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness as well as making it easier to the household to keep warmth.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a measure 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 rest part 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 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Grenada North Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside; you have to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is typically those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem that can cause damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

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 Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Grenada North for Rental Properties

There are many things to be able to examine in a house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an ruling on tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For specialist guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental property home evaluation.