Healthy Homes Assessment Grenada Village

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 make sure their Grenada Village rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks which needs to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties we are 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

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new or renewed contract is signed on a Grenada Village rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Grenada Village rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant can be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease contract as the person renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who have several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are given only for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and request an home inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households in New Zealand and Grenada Village, and research indicates that rental homes are likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who have reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

Improving the quality of Grenada Village rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and living due to diseases. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

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.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Grenada Village

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside homes. A draughty home will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or hole which needs sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out into the home require the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped as far as possible.

There is no need to block gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement within the building when the household is heated and cools so that they are able to be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will examine all windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are crucial for well-being homes

Heating Grenada Village

Grenada Village rental properties require a reliable source of heat which can warm the living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it must include an thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source like the heat pump, it could need an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Grenada Village

Each living space within a rental property has to have at least one openable door or window to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation standard is about recognising how the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus are not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or the skylight needs at least open to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your house that houses a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture-producing item will need proper extractor fan systems which are vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Grenada Village

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory in all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure the insulation meets this new quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and will also make much easier to the house to retain heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the quality of 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 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Grenada Village Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go, and stop it from coming into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is typically not apparent that it could become a major issue that can cause damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to remove rainwater, storm water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring 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

Areas of rental properties that are impacted by The Healthy Homes Standards in Grenada Village include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Grenada Village for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to be able to examine when conducting an house review to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today and book your rental properties house assessment.