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 new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must be completely compliant by 1 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 and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work needed to be completed. requirements to be completed, and offer an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re fully certified 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, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Gracefield rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be finished inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct when the tenancy contract is completed, and must be updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is important to be aware that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for the most serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households rent the property in New Zealand and Gracefield, and research indicates that rental homes tend to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and have lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who report four or more key 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 reduce the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of health issues. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control on Gracefield rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Gracefield

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within households. A cold house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and 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 likely a crack or an opening that needs sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within your house require sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers 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 in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow movement of the building as the home warms and cools so that they can still be closed and opened rather than securing. We will test every window and door in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Gracefield

Rental properties in Gracefield should have a permanent source of heating that can heat the living space to at least 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if your current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires and 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 provide is electric heating or heat pump it requirements to include the thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source like an air conditioner, it could need some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Gracefield

Every living space of a rental property must have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is about recognising that dry air is easier to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or skylight requirements to have the ability open to the outside, but remain at an open angle to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your home that has shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will require suitable extractor fans that vent to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Gracefield

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required for all rent homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might require to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, as well as making much easier to allow the house to keep heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

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

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Gracefield Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually the concerns you don’t notice that can become a big problem and cause damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have effective drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Find out all the 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 by Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Gracefield include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Gracefield for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to check during an home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today to book your rental property home assessment.