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 now have to ensure their Gracefield rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work that requirements to be done, and offer a report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental property, and are fully certified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Gracefield rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Gracefield rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they may receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It’s important to remember that a landlord with several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are given for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and request a home evaluation performed for your rental property.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Gracefield, and research has shown that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. In addition, people who reported at least four key home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Improve the standard of Gracefield rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping for Gracefield rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Gracefield

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside houses. A damp house costs more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a hole or gap that is, it’s probably a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out of the home need seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no require to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement within the building as the house heats and cools, so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will check every window and door during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Gracefield

Gracefield rental properties need to have a stable heating source which can warm the main or largest living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

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

If the heating system you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it should be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like small apartments an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source such as the heat pump, it could require an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the quality as they are either costly, not affordable to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Gracefield

Every living space of a rental property must have at least one openable doors or windows to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation quality is about recognising that dry air is less difficult to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or the skylight needs at least to open up to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your property with shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture generating item will require adequate extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

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

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Gracefield

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and also makes it easier to allow the house to keep heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 underfloor 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

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water, and stop it from coming into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is frequently what you don’t see that could become a major issue and cause the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from entering the structure. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Gracefield

The areas of rental property that are affected by The Healthy Homes Standard in Gracefield include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Gracefield for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to look over during the house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental properties home assessment.