Healthy Homes Assessment Grenada Village

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Grenada Village rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully 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 if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work which requirements to be completed and offer an evaluation report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes related fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, and are fully qualified to evaluate 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, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Grenada Village rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed lease is entered into on the Grenada Village rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out It could also be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and must be updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is also crucial to remember that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down only for serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have an house inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households rent in New Zealand and Grenada Village, and research suggests that rental homes are likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and have lower quality than the houses of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. In addition, people who reported at least four key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Grenada Village rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and living due to health issues. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control on Grenada Village rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Grenada Village

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in households. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a crack or a gap or crack, then it is most likely a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out within the home require sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped as far as imaginable.

You don’t require to cover up holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for the movement of the building when the household is heated and cools so that they can still be closed and opened rather than securing. We will test the windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Grenada Village

Rental properties in Grenada Village require a reliable heating source that can warm the living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the current installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to top up with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump it should include the thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source like heat pumps, it might need an update in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Grenada Village

Each living space within a rental house must have at least one opening door or window to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about recognising how the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or the skylight needs for them to be in a position open to the outside while remaining at an open angle, allowing the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your property with shower, bath cooker or any other moisture-producing item will require proper extractor fan systems that are vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A warm dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Grenada Village

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory to all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and will also make it easier to allow the home to hold the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 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 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Grenada Village Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go, and stop it from coming inside. When it is about damp and water, it is frequently not apparent that it could be a huge problem, causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should 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 also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between your flooring and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the home. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Grenada Village

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Grenada Village include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Grenada Village for Rental Properties

There are many things you should look for when conducting an house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental property house evaluation.