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 must make sure that their Grenada North rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas 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 is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work needed to be completed. requirements to be completed, and offer a report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors for rental properties, and are completely certified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Grenada North rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it is updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it’s finished.

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

Clearly, failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have a home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households homes in New Zealand and Grenada North, and research shows us that these rental homes tend to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. In addition, people who reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

The improvement in the quality of Grenada North rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living due to health issues. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance over the long term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Grenada North

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within households. A damp house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it’s likely a crack or hole which needs sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of your house need seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped whenever imaginable.

There is no need to cover up gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure as the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be opened and closed rather than securing. We will check all windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Grenada North

Grenada North rental properties require a reliable source of heat that can warm the living room to at least 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat source, it needs to include a thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. For most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as the heat pump, it could need a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Grenada North

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one opening door or window to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about acknowledging the fact that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t living spaces and therefore do not require an opening door or window.

Each door, window or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your house that houses a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture generating item will require appropriate extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

Find out all the details about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Grenada North

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation is in line with current standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and also makes more easy for the home to hold 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 measure of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest part of 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

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

Grenada North Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s frequently those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem that can cause damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from rising into the property. It also helps to 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

Property rental areas that are affected through The Healthy Homes Standards in Grenada North include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Grenada North for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to look over during an home assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a Tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property home evaluation.