Healthy Homes Assessment Gracefield

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Gracefield rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks that needs to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes related fines.

We are fully 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

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Gracefield rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be completed inside of 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 done within 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the property manager does not supply the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

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

It is clear that failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and request a house assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

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

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. In addition, people who experience at least four major housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

The improvement in the standard of Gracefield rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to diseases. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

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

Begin now by calling about receiving a Gracefield Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Gracefield

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in houses. A humid house is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap and you are able to feel it, it’s likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out of the home require the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as imaginable.

You don’t need to block up intentional gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for the movement of the building as the household is heated and cools to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will examine the windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is important for healthy homes

Heating Gracefield

Rental properties in Gracefield must have a fixed heating source that is able to heat the living space to at least 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it should include the thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source, like an air conditioner, it may need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Gracefield

Each living space within a rental property must contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about recognising that dried air can be much easier to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or skylight requirements at least to open to the outside, but remain at an open angle in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your home that has shower, bath cooker or any other water-generating appliance will need appropriate extractor fans that vent to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Gracefield

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required to all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation is in line with the new quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, as well as making it easier for the home to hold heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 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 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Gracefield Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water, and stop it from coming inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s frequently what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and the surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about 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 Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Gracefield for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns you should look for during the house review to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For professional guidance, contact us today to book your rental property house assessment.