Healthy Homes Assessment Gracefield

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? 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 renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work required. needs to be done and provide a report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re fully qualified to assess both 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, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Gracefield rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

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

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be current when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it is updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It is crucial to remember that a landlord who own several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have a house inspection performed on your rental property.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Gracefield, and research suggests that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and have lower quality than the homes of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative health results, specifically for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more major housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Improve the quality of Gracefield rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and living due to illness. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping in Gracefield rental properties.

Start now and call about the Gracefield Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Gracefield

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A humid house will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the air is clear out of a hole or gap, then it is likely to be a gap or hole which requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out of your house need to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever possible.

There is no need to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement within the building as the household warms and cools so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will examine all windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for healthy houses

Heating Gracefield

Gracefield rental properties must have a fixed source of heating that can warm the main or largest living room to at least 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the existing installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat source, it requirements to have an thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as the heat pump, it may need some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Gracefield

Every living space in a rental property has to have at least one opening door or window to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

This ventilation quality is about recognising it is that dried air can be much easier to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

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

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your house that houses a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need adequate extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Gracefield

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is in line with current standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness as well as making it easier for the home to retain heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

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

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

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

Gracefield Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is frequently what you don’t see that can become a big problem and cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to remove storm water, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from rising into the property. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Gracefield

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through the 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 variety of concerns to look over when conducting a house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a Tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice, call today and book your rental properties house evaluation.