Healthy Homes Assessment Grenada Village

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords must ensure their Grenada Village rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed 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 can evaluate your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be completed and offer a report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in 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 healthy homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties as well as 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, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Grenada Village rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be finished within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new or renewed lease is entered into on the Grenada Village rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request information regarding 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 information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they may be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

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

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is also important to keep in mind that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are handed down only for serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and arrange to have an home inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households rent from New Zealand and Grenada Village, and research suggests that rental homes tend to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Additionally, those who have reported four or more key housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Improving the standard of Grenada Village rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and living because of diseases. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught Control on Grenada Village rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss getting a Grenada Village Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Grenada Village

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within houses. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a gap or hole that is, it’s likely a crack or hole that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out from your house require to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

You don’t need to cover up gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement of the structure when the household is heated and cools in order to let them be opened and closed rather than securing. We will inspect the windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for healthy houses

Heating Grenada Village

Rental properties in Grenada Village require a reliable heating source that can warm the largest or main living space to at least 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if your current installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to top up with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it requirements to be equipped with the thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source, such as an air conditioner, it may require an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Grenada Village

Every living space of the rental property should have at least one opening window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

It is the ventilation quality is all about recognising the fact that dry air will be less difficult to heat and that a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t living spaces and therefore are not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or the skylight needs at least to open up to the outside, but remain closed in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your property with a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need suitable extractor fans that vent to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Grenada Village

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory in all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure the insulation meets current standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and will also make more easy to the household to retain warmth.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more efficient 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, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Grenada Village Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water and prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s usually not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble and cause the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from entering the home. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Grenada Village

The areas of rental property that are affected to Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Grenada Village include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Grenada Village for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns you should look for when conducting an home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an ruling on tenancy services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice get in touch today and book your rental properties house assessment.