Healthy Homes Assessment Gracefield

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 make sure that their Gracefield rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully 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 the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work required. requirements to be completed and provide a report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, we are fully certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Gracefield rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Gracefield rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within a new, renewed 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 live in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is completed, and must be updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It is important to remember that landlords who own multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are given for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and make arrangements to have an home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Gracefield, and research suggests that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than the homes of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who report four or more key housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Improving the standard of Gracefield rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to diseases. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping on Gracefield rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss the Gracefield Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Gracefield

Draughts can lead to less temperature in households. A damp house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it requirements to be closed.

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 that is, it’s likely to be a gap or crack that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out of the house require seals. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated as much as imaginable.

You don’t require to block holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the structure when the home heats and cools, so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will check every window and door as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Gracefield

Rental properties in Gracefield require a reliable source of heating that is able to heat the living space to at least 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top-up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat source, it should be equipped with the thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a central heating source, such as the heat pump, it may require an update to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the quality because they’re expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Gracefield

Each liveable space in a rental property has to include at least one open window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about understanding how dried air can be much easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable and do not require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or skylight needs to be able to open up to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your property with shower, bath, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will need adequate extractor fans that vent towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

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

A dry and warm house is an ideal home

Insulation Gracefield

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required on all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is up to current quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and it will make it easier to the household to keep the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values of your area.

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

• 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 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

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Gracefield Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the inside but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s often not apparent that it could be a huge problem, causing damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to remove rainwater, storm water and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from entering the building. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the 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 Gracefield

Rental property areas affected with The Healthy Homes Standard in Gracefield include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Gracefield for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to be able to examine in a home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a Tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental properties home evaluation.