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 of 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 the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely compliant by 1 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 determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks that needs to be completed and provide a report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes connected fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, as well as completely 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 tenancy is signed for a Grenada North rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be completed within 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the property manager does not supply the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current when the tenancy contract is signed. It is updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It’s also crucial to be aware that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and request a house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households rent the property in New Zealand and Grenada North, and research suggests that rental houses tend to be older, colder, have less effective heating and have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who reported at least four major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Improve the quality of Grenada North rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to illness. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping in Grenada North rental properties.

Begin now by calling about having a 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 cold home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a hole or gap or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or hole which requirements sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out into the house need sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no require to block holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement of the structure when the home is heated and cools in order to let them be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will inspect the windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for healthy homes

Heating Grenada North

Rental properties in Grenada North need to have a stable source of heat which can warm the main or largest living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump then it must include an thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source, like heat pumps, it may need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the standard because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Grenada North

Each living space within a rental property has to have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

This ventilation quality is all about understanding how dry air will be more easy to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or Skylight needs to have the ability to open to the outside and remain set in an opening position, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your house that houses shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will need appropriate extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is a healthy house

Insulation Grenada North

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required for all rent homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation is in line with current quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, as well as making an easier task for the household to hold warmth.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Grenada North Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow, and prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is frequently not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to remove rainwater, storm water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from rising into the building. It also helps to prevent any damage to your 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

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

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Grenada North for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to look over in an house assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenant services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental properties house assessment.