Healthy Homes Assessment Gracefield

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure 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 by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work which needs to be completed and offer an evaluation report with all the information needed 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 any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes connected fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, and are fully qualified to evaluate both 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 brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Gracefield rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be completed inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Gracefield rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be current when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s important to remember that a landlord who have several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have an house inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households rent homes in New Zealand and Gracefield, and research suggests that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating and have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who have reported four or more key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improving the standard of Gracefield rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and daily life because of diseases. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control on Gracefield rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Gracefield

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside households. A draughty home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it’s likely a crack or hole that needs sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out within the house need sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the building as the household is heated and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will test every window and door as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Gracefield

Gracefield rental properties must have a fixed source of heating which can warm the living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the existing permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat source, then it must have the thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source like an air conditioner, it might require some additional energy to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the quality since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Gracefield

Each living space within a rental property has to contain at minimum one open doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

A ventilation quality is all about understanding it is that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements to be able to open to the outside while remaining at an open angle to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your property with shower, bath cooker or any other moisture generating item will require appropriate extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

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

A cozy dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Gracefield

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory for all rent homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and also makes more easy to allow the household to keep the heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and 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 quality.

Gracefield Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is frequently not apparent that it can become a big problem and end up causing damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and the ground, a ground water 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, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the home. It also helps prevent 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

Areas of rental properties that are impacted by 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 many concerns to be able to examine in a house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For professional advice, call today and book your rental properties house evaluation.