Healthy Homes Assessment Grenada North

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware 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 renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully 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 evaluate your rental property to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks which requirements to be completed, and offer the report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, as well as fully qualified to assess 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, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Grenada North rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be taken care of within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Grenada North rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed. It should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It is also crucial to note that landlords who have multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have an house inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Grenada North, and research indicates that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative health results, specifically for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who report at least four key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

Improving the standard of Grenada North rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping within Grenada North rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss 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 households. A damp home costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a gap or hole, then it is probably a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out from the house need sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched as far as possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps that 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 gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be closed and opened rather than securing. We will check every window and door during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Grenada North

Rental properties in Grenada North need to have a stable source of heating that can heat the main or largest living room to at least 18degC, even during the winter coldest 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 heating needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it must include an thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a central heating source like a heat pump, then it might require a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Grenada North

Each liveable space in the rental property should have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

This ventilation quality is about recognising that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t liveable and therefore are not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or the skylight needs for them to be in a position to open up to the outside while remaining set in an opening position in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your property with shower, bath, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will require suitable extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Grenada North

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory on all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation is in line with the new quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, as well as making much easier to the household to hold the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values of your area.

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

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

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Grenada North Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is usually those things that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem and cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have efficient drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the building. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Find out all the 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 the Healthy Homes Standards 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 numerous things to check when conducting a house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenancy services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional guidance, contact us today to book your rental property house evaluation.