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 of July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure that 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 fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work which requirements to be completed, and offer the report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation 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 associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties as well as completely certified to assess 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, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Grenada North rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be finished inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new or renewed contract is signed on the Grenada North rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they can receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty approximately $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property which could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It’s also crucial to note that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have an home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households rent from New Zealand and Grenada North, and research indicates that rental homes are likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and are of lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative health results, specifically for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who report four or more key housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Grenada North rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and living due to illnesses. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long-term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Grenada North

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in homes. A humid house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap, then it’s most likely a gap or crack that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out within your house need sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped whenever imaginable.

There is no need to block holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement within the building as the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will inspect every window and door during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for well-being homes

Heating Grenada North

Grenada North rental properties should have a permanent source of heating that can heat the largest or main living room to at least 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the existing installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it requirements to be equipped with the thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, like an air conditioner, it might just need a top up to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard as they are either costly, not affordable to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Grenada North

Each liveable space in a rental property has to contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about recognising it is that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable and are not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or skylight requirements to be able of opening to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your property with a bath, shower and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will need appropriate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

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

A cozy dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Grenada North

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory for all rent homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation meets the new quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, as well as making more easy to allow the house to hold warmth.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of the 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

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Grenada North Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s typically what you don’t see that could be a huge problem that can cause the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from rising into the property. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring 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 with Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Grenada North include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Grenada North for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to be able to examine when conducting a house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenant solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional assistance, get in touch today to book your rental properties home assessment.