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? The landlords are now required 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 areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work required. needs to be done and offer an assessment report that includes all the details 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 who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes relevant fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors for rental properties, as well as fully qualified 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, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Gracefield rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be completed within 90 days.

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

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

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the property manager is unable to provide the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It is crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who own several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down only for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in large fines in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have a house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Gracefield, and research shows us that these rental houses are likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally have lower quality than the homes of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as heart diseases. Additionally, those who report four or more major house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Enhancing the quality of Gracefield rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping within Gracefield rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss getting a Gracefield Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Gracefield

Draughts can lead to less temperature in houses. A damp house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap or crack, then it’s most likely a gap or hole which needs sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out into your home need seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

You don’t need to block holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow movement of the building when the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will examine the windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for healthy homes

Heating Gracefield

Gracefield rental properties need to have a stable heating source that can warm the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the current fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump then it must include an thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source such as a heat pump, then it might just require an upgrade to be able 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 or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Gracefield

Every living space in a rental house must include at least one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about acknowledging the fact that dry air will be more easy to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or the skylight needs to have the ability to open up to the outside and remain fixed in an open position, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your property with shower, bath cooker or any other moisture-producing item will require adequate extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

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

A cozy dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Gracefield

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement for all rent homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure the insulation meets the new quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and it will make an easier task to the house to retain warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 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

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water and stop it from coming into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually the things you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a location to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into 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

Rental property areas affected through Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Gracefield include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Gracefield for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to be able to examine when conducting a house review to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, 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 could be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert advice, call today and book your rental property house evaluation.