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 make sure 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 fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas 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 is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks required. requirements to be completed, and offer an evaluation report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental property, as well as fully qualified for 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, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Gracefield rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be completed inside 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 finished by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or 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.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is named on the lease contract as the person letting the property out It could also be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is also important to note that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for the most serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and request an house inspection performed on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

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

The damp, cold and mouldy homes can have negative health results, specifically for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Additionally, those who have reported at least four major housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Gracefield rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and living due to diseases. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught-stopping within Gracefield rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Gracefield

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in homes. A cold house costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a crack or a gap or crack, then it’s most likely a gap or hole that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out within the house need seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched whenever imaginable.

There is no need to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement of the structure when the household gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Gracefield

Gracefield rental properties must have a fixed source of heating that can heat the largest or main living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it needs to include a thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a central heating source, like heat pumps, it may need some additional energy to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Gracefield

Each living space within a rental property has to contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about recognising it is that dry air will be easier to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and therefore do not require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or skylight requirements at least of opening to the outside, but remain set in an opening position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your home with a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will require adequate extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is an ideal home

Insulation Gracefield

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation meets this new standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might need to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, as well as making much easier to the house to hold the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

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

• Zone 1 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, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

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

Gracefield Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is typically not apparent that it could become a major issue that can cause damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have effective drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Gracefield

The areas of rental property that are affected through Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Gracefield include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Gracefield for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns you should look for when conducting an home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• 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 house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenant solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For expert guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental property house assessment.