Healthy Homes Assessment Gracefield

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Gracefield rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks which needs to be completed, and offer a report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties we are fully qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Gracefield rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be completed within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed contract is signed on a Gracefield rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct an home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households homes in New Zealand and Gracefield, and research suggests that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who reported four or more key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Improve the standard of Gracefield rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of health issues. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means 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, and Draught Control on Gracefield rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Gracefield

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside homes. A humid home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole or crack, then it is probably a gap or hole which needs sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from your house need sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as possible.

There is no require to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for the movement of the structure as the house gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be opened and closed rather than securing. We will test all windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for well-being homes

Heating Gracefield

Rental properties in Gracefield should have a permanent source of heating that can heat the living space to a minimum of 18degC, 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 and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the current installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat source, then it must be equipped with an thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might need an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Gracefield

Every living space of the rental property should include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about acknowledging it is that dried air can be easier to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or skylight requirements to have the ability to open up to the outside and remain set in an opening position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will require appropriate extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Gracefield

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and also makes more easy to the house to retain warmth.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of the 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Gracefield Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is frequently what you don’t see that could be a huge problem and end up causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from getting into the home. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor 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

Property rental areas that are affected by Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Gracefield include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Gracefield for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns you should look for during a home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental property house assessment.