Healthy Homes Assessment Gracefield

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords must ensure that their Gracefield rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks which needs to be done and offer an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes relevant fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, we are fully qualified to assess 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, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Gracefield rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new or renewed lease is entered into on a Gracefield rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant could be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as being the person who is letting the property and it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

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

It is also crucial to be aware that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have a home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households rent from New Zealand and Gracefield, and research has shown that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who reported four or more major home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Improve the quality of Gracefield rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control within Gracefield rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Gracefield

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within houses. A humid house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap and you can feel it, it is likely to be a gap or crack that needs sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out from your house require sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped as far as possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow movement of the structure when the house is heated and cools so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will check the windows and doors 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 important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Gracefield

Gracefield rental properties must have a fixed source of heat which can warm the living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump then it must be equipped with the thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source such as heat pumps, it might need an upgrade to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Gracefield

Each living space within a rental house must have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about recognising the fact that dry air is easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and therefore are not require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or Skylight requirements to be able to open up to the outside, and stay set in an opening position, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your home that has shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will need appropriate extractor fans that vent towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Gracefield

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory on all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation is in line with this new quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

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

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest 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

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Gracefield Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow and also stop it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s typically those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue and cause damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have effective drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from rising into the building. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Gracefield

Property rental areas that are affected to the Healthy Homes Standards in Gracefield include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Gracefield for Rental Properties

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

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenant services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property house evaluation.