Healthy Homes Assessment Grenada North

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords must make sure that their Grenada North rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

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

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

We can assess your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of any work which requirements to be completed, and provide the report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, and are fully qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Grenada North rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Grenada North rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 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. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It must be updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is also important to remember that landlords with multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for severe violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and arrange to have a home assessment performed on your rental property.

Get the full description of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Grenada North, and research has shown that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who experience four or more key housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Improving the standard of Grenada North rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and living because of diseases. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping for Grenada North rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about the Grenada North Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Grenada North

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in homes. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the air is clear out of a hole or gap, then it’s probably a gap or crack that needs sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out from your home need to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent possible.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement of the structure as the home heats and cools, to allow them to be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will check all windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Grenada North

Rental properties in Grenada North must have a fixed heating source which can warm the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the existing permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump it should include an thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source like a heat pump, then it might just require an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Grenada North

Every living space of a rental house must include at least one open window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

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

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and therefore are not require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or skylight requirements to have the ability to open to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your home with shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will require appropriate extractor fans that vent towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Grenada North

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure the insulation meets current standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and it will make an easier task to allow the household to keep warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

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

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Grenada North Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is often not apparent that it could become a major issue, causing damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from rising into the home. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Grenada North

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Grenada North for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to look over when conducting an home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental properties house evaluation.