Healthy Homes Assessment Grenada Village

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Grenada Village rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks that needs to be done, and offer a report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re fully certified for 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 new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Grenada Village rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be finished 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 taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty up to $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it is updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It’s crucial to remember that a landlord who own several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are given for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and request a home assessment done for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households rent the property in New Zealand and Grenada Village, and research indicates that rental homes are likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who report at least four key home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Enhancing the standard of Grenada Village rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and living due to illness. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping within 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 can lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting money and energy.

If a draught can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap or crack, then it is most likely a gap or hole which needs sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out within your home require seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever imaginable.

There is no require to block holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow movement of the building as the home warms and cools to allow them to be opened and closed rather than securing. We will test the windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are important for healthy houses

Heating Grenada Village

Rental properties in Grenada Village require a reliable heating source that can warm the main or largest living room to at least 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the existing installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it needs to have a thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like heat pumps, it might need an update to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Grenada Village

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one opening window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about acknowledging the fact that dry air will be much easier to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not living spaces and therefore do not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door or Skylight requirements to have the ability to open up to the outside and remain at an open angle to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your property with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require adequate extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is an ideal home

Insulation Grenada Village

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory for all rent houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation is in line with current quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and it will make much easier to the house to hold warmth.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all area 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, underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Grenada Village Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the inside it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water and prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is frequently the things you don’t notice that can become a big problem and end up causing damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to have effective drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from rising into the building. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Grenada Village

Rental property areas affected with Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Grenada Village include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Grenada Village for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to look over during a house assessment to see if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For professional assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental properties house assessment.