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 are now required to ensure 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 completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work required. requirements to be done, and offer a report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes associated fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties and are completely qualified to evaluate 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, when a brand new or renewed tenancy 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, once a new or renewed lease is entered into on the Grenada North rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it is updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It’s important to note that a landlord with multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with large fines in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and request an house assessment done for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Grenada North, and research shows us that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who report four or more major issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Improve the quality of Grenada North rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and living because of illnesses. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping on Grenada North rental properties.

Start now and call about the Grenada North Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Grenada North

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in homes. A cold home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap and you are able to feel it, it’s probably a gap or hole that needs sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out from the house require sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever possible.

You don’t need to block gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement of the structure as the house warms and cools so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will test every window and door in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Grenada North

Rental properties in Grenada North must have a fixed source of heating which can warm the main or largest living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the existing permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat source, then it must be equipped with a thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source, like the heat pump, it may need an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Grenada North

Each liveable space in a rental property has to contain at minimum one open door or window to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about acknowledging it is that dried air can be less difficult to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing 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 thus are not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or the skylight needs to have the ability to open up to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home that has shower, bath cooker or any other water-generating appliance will need proper extractor fan systems that are vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is a healthy house

Insulation Grenada North

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory for all rent homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation is in line with current quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and it will make more easy to the house to hold heat.

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 is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

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

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Grenada North Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s often the things you don’t notice that could become a major issue, causing the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a place to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between the floor and soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Grenada North

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

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Grenada North for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to be able to examine in a home assessment to see if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there 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 getting on the wrong side of the tenancy services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert advice get in touch today to book your rental properties house evaluation.