Healthy Homes Assessment Grenada Village

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure their Grenada Village rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely conforming by the 1st 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 satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks that requirements to be done, and offer the report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes connected fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, we are fully qualified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Grenada Village rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be done inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Grenada Village rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant can be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property which could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is executed, and it is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It is also important to remember that landlords who own several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with huge fines, in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and ask us to conduct an house assessment done for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Grenada Village, and research shows us that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Grenada Village rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of illness. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning 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, and Draught Stopping for Grenada Village rental properties.

Start now and call about the Grenada Village Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Grenada Village

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside houses. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or a clear draught out of a hole or gap, then it is most likely a gap or hole that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out into the home require to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever imaginable.

There is no require to block off holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement within the structure when the household is heated and cools in order to let them be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will check the windows and doors as part of your 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 homes

Heating Grenada Village

Grenada Village rental properties must have a fixed source of heating that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it must include an thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source such as an air conditioner, it may need some additional energy to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the quality as they are either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Grenada Village

Each liveable space in a rental home must have at least one opening window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about recognising it is that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable and therefore do not require an opening window or door.

Each door, window or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open up to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your house that houses shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will need adequate extractor fans that vent to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Grenada Village

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required for all rent homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation is up to current quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and it will make an easier task to the house to hold heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

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

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

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Grenada Village Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move, and prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is frequently the things you don’t notice that could become a major issue, causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from rising into the property. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Grenada Village

Property rental areas that are affected with Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Grenada Village include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Grenada Village for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to look over during a home assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional advice, call today to book your rental properties home assessment.