Healthy Homes Assessment Grenada North

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must ensure their Grenada North rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be done, and provide the report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, and are fully certified to evaluate each of 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 or renewed contract is signed on a Grenada North rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be completed by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed lease is entered into on a Grenada North rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they may be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It’s also crucial to remember that landlords who have multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for severe breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and arrange to have an house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Grenada North, and research suggests that rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative health results, specifically for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who have reported four or more key home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Grenada North rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and living due to illness. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control for Grenada North rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Grenada North

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within houses. A humid house costs more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a gap or hole that is, it’s likely a crack or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of your house need seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as much as possible.

You don’t require to block gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement within the building as the household heats and cools, in order to let them be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will examine the windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for healthy houses

Heating Grenada North

Rental properties in Grenada North should have a permanent heating source that can warm the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heat needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the existing fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it requirements to include the thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source, like the heat pump, it might need an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Grenada North

Every living space of a rental property has to have at least one openable doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about recognising how dry air is 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 rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus are not require an opening window or door.

Each door, window or the skylight requirements at least open to the outside and remain fixed in an open position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your home that has a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will require appropriate extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is a healthy home

Insulation Grenada North

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement in all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation is up to this new quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, as well as making more easy to the house to keep warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9, 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

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Grenada North Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow, and stop it from coming into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is typically what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a place to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Grenada North

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Grenada North for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to be able to examine during an house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to book your rental properties home assessment.