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 July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Gracefield rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work which needs to be completed, and offer a report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, as well as completely qualified for 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 new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Gracefield rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be completed by the end of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they could receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It must be updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It is also crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are given for serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct an house evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Gracefield, and research suggests that rental houses are likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than the houses of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. In addition, people who have reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improving the standard of Gracefield rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and living due to illness. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught stopping within Gracefield rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Gracefield

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside houses. A cold house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it’s likely to be a gap or an opening that needs sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out of the house need sealing. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as imaginable.

There is no require to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement of the structure as the household gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will inspect all doors and windows as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Gracefield

Rental properties in Gracefield need to have a stable source of heat which can warm the largest or main living room to at least 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must have the thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source like heat pumps, it might just need an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Gracefield

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation quality is all about understanding that dry air is easier to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable 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 to have the ability of opening to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your home with shower, bath and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will require appropriate extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Gracefield

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory in all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation meets current quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness as well as making much easier to the home to keep the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all part 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 quality.

Gracefield Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s frequently not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the home. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring 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

Property rental areas that are affected through Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Gracefield include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Gracefield for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to be able to examine in an home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property home assessment.