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 ensure 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 areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work needed to be completed. needs to be completed and provide a 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 breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, we are completely certified 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 new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Grenada North rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new or renewed lease is entered into on a Grenada North rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers providing 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 named on the lease agreement as the one who is letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be current when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s also important to keep in mind that a landlord with multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are given for severe violations. Those who have more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and request a home evaluation performed for your rental property.

See the full details for this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households rent from New Zealand and Grenada North, and research suggests that rental homes tend to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than the homes of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative health results, specifically for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who reported four or more key house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Improve the quality of Grenada North rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living because of diseases. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping for Grenada North rental properties.

Start now and call about receiving a Grenada North Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Grenada North

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within households. A damp house costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a gap or hole and you are able to feel it, it’s likely a crack or crack that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out of your house need seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as imaginable.

You don’t require to block off holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement of the structure as the home warms and cools to allow them to be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect all windows and doors as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Grenada North

Rental properties in Grenada North require a reliable heating source that can heat the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the current installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it should have a thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and efficient. For most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source like an air conditioner, it could need an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard as they are either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Grenada North

Each liveable space in a rental property must contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

This ventilation quality is all about recognising it is that dry air is more easy to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or Skylight needs at least to open to the outside while remaining at an open angle, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your property with a bath, shower and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will need suitable extractor fans which are vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Grenada North

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory in all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation is in line with current standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, as well as making much easier to allow the household to retain heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Grenada North Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is frequently the concerns you don’t notice that could be a huge problem that can cause damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the structure. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Grenada North

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

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Grenada North for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to be able to examine during the house assessment to see if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy services ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental property home assessment.