Healthy Homes Assessment Gracefield

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords must ensure that their Gracefield rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 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 check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work required. needs to be done, and provide an evaluation report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re 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

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Gracefield rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be completed by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Gracefield rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 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. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for 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 required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is 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 correct when the tenancy contract is signed. It should be kept updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It is important to be aware that landlords who have multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in significant fines and still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and make arrangements to have an home assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Gracefield, and research has shown that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and have lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative health results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who report at least four key issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Gracefield rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and living because of diseases. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping for Gracefield rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Gracefield

Draughts may lead to less temperature in houses. A draughty house will cost more to heat, which results in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or a clear draught from a crack or a gap that is, it’s probably a gap or crack that needs sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out within your home require to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched whenever imaginable.

You don’t require to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow movement of the structure as the household heats and cools, to allow them to be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will examine all windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is important for well-being houses

Heating Gracefield

Rental properties in Gracefield should have a permanent heating source that is able to heat the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the existing installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top-up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it needs to be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as a heat pump, then it might require an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Gracefield

Every living space of a rental property has to include at least one open window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about understanding the fact that dried air can be easier to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore are not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or Skylight needs for them to be in a position open to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your home with shower, bath, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will need proper extractor fan systems that can be vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Gracefield

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement in all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation is in line with current standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and it will make much easier for the house to hold heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor 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 water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move, and stop it from coming into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is typically the things you don’t notice that could become a major issue, causing damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the home. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Gracefield

Rental property areas affected with Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Gracefield include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Gracefield for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns you should look for when conducting a house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For professional advice, call now and schedule your rental properties house assessment.