Healthy Homes Assessment Grenada North

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must ensure that their Grenada North rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must 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 check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work which needs to be done, and provide a report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re completely certified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Grenada North rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be taken care of within 90 days.

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

Inability 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 current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property and it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It must be updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is also crucial to keep in mind that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given only for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and request a home assessment done for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Grenada North, and research indicates that rental houses tend to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who report at least four key issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the quality of Grenada North rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of illness. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower maintenance costs over the long term.

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

Begin now by calling about getting a Grenada North Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Grenada North

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside homes. A humid house is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a crack or a gap or crack, then it is probably a gap or crack that needs sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into the home need sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as possible.

There is no need to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement within the building when the house heats and cools, in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will test every window and door as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Grenada North

Grenada North rental properties need to have a stable heating source that can heat the{ main or largest|| largest or main| principal or the biggest} living space to at least 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 and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it should include a thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source like a heat pump, then it may need some additional energy to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Grenada North

Every living space in the rental property should have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

A ventilation standard is all about recognising it is that dried air can be easier to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or skylight requirements for them to be in a position of opening to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your property with shower, bath cooker or any other moisture generating item will require adequate extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Grenada North

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation is up to the new quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, as well as making more easy to allow the household to retain warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

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

Grenada North Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the inside; you have to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go and prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s typically those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue and end up causing damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

See the full details of the 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 Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Grenada North include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Grenada North for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things you should look for during a house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental property house evaluation.