Healthy Homes Assessment Grenada Village

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that their Grenada Village rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must 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 can evaluate your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks required. needs to be completed, and provide an evaluation report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re completely qualified for both 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, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Grenada Village rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be completed within 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty up to $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property and it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It’s crucial to note that a landlord with multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and arrange to have a house assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Grenada Village, and research has shown that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who experience four or more key home quality issues often suffer from 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 and minimise the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of diseases. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping on Grenada Village rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Grenada Village Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Grenada Village

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside households. A damp home will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the air is clear out of a hole or gap, then it is probably a gap or crack that needs sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out from the home need seals. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as much as imaginable.

You don’t require to block off holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for the movement of the building as the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will inspect all windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Grenada Village

Grenada Village rental properties require a reliable heating source that can warm the living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump then it must include a thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like heat pumps, it might just require an update to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Grenada Village

Each living space within a rental property has to include at least one open window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about acknowledging it is that dry air will be easier to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t living spaces and therefore don’t need an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or the skylight needs for them to be in a position open to the outside, and stay set in an opening position to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your house that houses shower, bath, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will need proper extractor fan systems which are vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Grenada Village

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory for all rent homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and it will make much easier for the home to keep warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest area 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 and underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Grenada Village Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and stop it from coming into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s often those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble and cause damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have effective drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the building. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Grenada Village

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

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Grenada Village for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to look over during the house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today and book your rental properties home assessment.