Healthy Homes Assessment Grenada Village

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must make sure 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 certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

• Draught Stopping
• Heating
• Insulation
• Ventilation
• Moisture Ingress & Drainage

We will evaluate your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about the work required. requirements to be done and offer the report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, we are completely qualified to assess each of 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, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Grenada Village rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be finished by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Grenada Village rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it must be updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s crucial to be aware that landlords who have multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for severe violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have an house assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households the property in New Zealand and Grenada Village, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who reported four or more major housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Improve the standard of Grenada Village rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and living due to diseases. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping on Grenada Village rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Grenada Village

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within houses. A humid house is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or a clear draught out of a hole or gap, then it’s likely a crack or crack that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out into the home require to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped as much as imaginable.

There is no need to block off gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement of the structure when the house heats and cools, to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will inspect the windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for healthy homes

Heating Grenada Village

Grenada Village rental properties need to have a stable source of heat that is able to heat the largest or main living room to at least 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat pump then it must have the thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as an air conditioner, it might just need an update in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the quality because they’re expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Grenada Village

Each liveable space in a rental property has to have at least one opening doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

The ventilation quality is about recognising it is that dry air will be less difficult to heat and that a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable and do not need an opening window or door.

Every window, door or Skylight requirements to be able to open to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your house that houses shower, bath cooker or any other moisture-producing item will require adequate extractor fans that are vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Grenada Village

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required in all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and it will make it easier for the household to hold warmth.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Grenada Village Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the inside It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s often the concerns you don’t notice that could become a major issue that can cause damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, 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 do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Grenada Village

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Grenada Village for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to be able to examine during the home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice, call today and book your rental properties house assessment.