Healthy Homes Assessment Grenada North

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work that requirements to be done and offer the report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, we are completely qualified to evaluate 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 brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Grenada North rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be done inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Grenada North rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant could be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

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

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It’s also important to be aware that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are given for serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct an home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households rent the property in New Zealand and Grenada North, and research shows us that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Additionally, those who report at least four key housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the quality of Grenada North rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and daily life due to health issues. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

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

Get started now and contact us about getting a Grenada North Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Grenada North

Draughts can lead to less temperature in houses. A draughty home will cost more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a gap or hole or crack, then it’s most likely a gap or hole that needs sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of your home need the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as imaginable.

There is no require to block off holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement within the structure when the household gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will inspect all doors and windows as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Grenada North

Rental properties in Grenada North must have a fixed heating source which can warm the main or largest living room to at least 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended 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 minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the current installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it must include the thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source, such as the heat pump, it could need some additional energy to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Grenada North

Every living space in a rental house must have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

The ventilation standard is about recognising the fact that dried air can be less difficult to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or skylight needs at least to open to the outside, and stay closed in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your home that has shower, bath or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems that can be vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

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

A cozy dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Grenada North

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory on all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation is up to the new quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and will also make it easier to the house to keep the heat.

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

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

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

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go, and also stop it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s often not apparent that it can become a big problem, causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between the floor and the ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from rising into the home. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of this 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 by Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards 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 concerns to check during an home review to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenant solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today to book your rental property home evaluation.