Healthy Homes Assessment Grenada North

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords must make sure their Grenada North rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in 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 requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work needed to be completed. requirements to be done, and offer the report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes related fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, as well as completely qualified 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, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Grenada North rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be taken care of within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Grenada North rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they may receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current when the tenancy contract is signed. It should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It is also important to remember that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are reserved only for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in significant fines and still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and make arrangements to have an home assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Grenada North, and research indicates that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who reported four or more major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Improving the standard of Grenada North rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of illness. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as 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 can lead to less temperature in households. A draughty house costs more to heat, which results in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap, then it’s likely a crack or crack that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out into the house require to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched whenever possible.

You don’t require to block holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the household warms and cools to allow them to be opened and closed rather than securing. We will examine all windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for well-being homes

Heating Grenada North

Grenada North rental properties require a reliable heating source that can warm the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to top up with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it needs to be equipped with an thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source like the heat pump, it could need an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the quality as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Grenada North

Each liveable space in a rental property has to include at least one open doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about understanding that dry air will be much easier to heat and a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore are not require an opening door or window.

Each door, window or skylight requirements at least open to the outside, but remain closed in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your home that has a bath, shower, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will require appropriate extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

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

A dry and warm house is an ideal house

Insulation Grenada North

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation is up to the new standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may need to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and it will make more easy to the home to hold warmth.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The higher 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 remainder of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Grenada North Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is typically not apparent that it could be a huge problem that can cause damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a location to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between your floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Grenada North

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

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Grenada North for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to look over during an home assessment to see 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 well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenant solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice, call now and schedule your rental property home evaluation.