Healthy Homes Assessment Gracefield

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 make sure their Gracefield rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks required. needs to be done, and provide an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, and are completely qualified 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, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Gracefield rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be done within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who offer a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it must be updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It is also important to keep in mind that a landlord with multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with large fines in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have an home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Gracefield, and research shows us that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than the houses of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Improving the standard of Gracefield rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and living due to illnesses. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught stopping for Gracefield rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about having a Gracefield Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Gracefield

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in households. A draughty house costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a hole or gap, then it’s likely to be a gap or hole which needs sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out from your house require to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched whenever possible.

You don’t require to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for the movement of the building as the home is heated and cools to allow them to be closed and opened rather than securing. We will examine all doors and windows during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for healthy homes

Heating Gracefield

Rental properties in Gracefield need to have a stable source of heat that can warm the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC, even during 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 heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top-up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it needs to include the thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source such as a heat pump, then it could need an update to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the quality since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Gracefield

Every living space of a rental property must have at least one opening door or window to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about recognising how dry air will be much easier to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable , and thus do not need an opening window or door.

Each door, window or skylight needs to be able open to the outside while remaining set in an opening position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Gracefield

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory for all rent homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure the insulation meets the new quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and it will make much easier to the house to hold warmth.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values required for your area

The "R" refers to 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, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Gracefield Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about the inside it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go and prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is typically those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem and end up causing the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Learn more about 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 with Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Gracefield include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Gracefield for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to check during the house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a Tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental property home evaluation.