Healthy Homes Assessment Grenada North

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 now have to ensure their Grenada North rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks that needs to be completed and provide an assessment report that includes all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, and are completely qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Grenada North rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be done inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Grenada North rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It is important to remember that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are given for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have a house assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Grenada North, and research has shown that these rental homes tend to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Grenada North rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and daily life because of illness. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control on Grenada North rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Grenada North Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Grenada North

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A cold home will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or a clear draught from a crack or a gap, then it’s most likely a gap or hole that needs sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out from your home require the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

There is no need to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement within the building when the house heats and cools, so that they can still be opened and closed rather than securing. We will check the windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Grenada North

Grenada North rental properties need to have a stable source of heat that is able to heat the main or largest living area to at minimum 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 health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the current fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it should have the thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating devices 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 may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source like heat pumps, it might just require an update to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Grenada North

Every living space of a rental property has to include at least one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about understanding the fact that dry air is easier to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or skylight needs at least to open to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will require suitable extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A dry and warm home is an ideal house

Insulation Grenada North

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory on all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure the insulation meets this new standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

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

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values required for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and it is a measurement 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 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Grenada North Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow, and stop it from coming inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is usually those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue, causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

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

An underground moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Grenada North

The areas of rental property that are affected with The Healthy Homes Standard in Grenada North include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Grenada North for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to check during the home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenant solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert advice get in touch today and book your rental properties home evaluation.