Healthy Homes Assessment Grenada Village

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Grenada Village rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

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

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors for rental properties, and are completely certified for 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, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Grenada Village rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Grenada Village rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant could be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty up to $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is completed, and must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It is also important to be aware that landlords who own several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are given for severe breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in huge fines, in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and arrange to have a home assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households homes in New Zealand and Grenada Village, and research shows us that these rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating and are of lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four key house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

The improvement in the standard of Grenada Village rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of health issues. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Stopping for Grenada Village rental properties.

Start now and call about receiving a Grenada Village Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Grenada Village

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A draughty home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole that is, it’s most likely a gap or hole that requirements sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within the house require to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as imaginable.

You don’t require to cover up gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement of the structure as the home heats and cools, in order to let them be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will inspect all windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Grenada Village

Grenada Village rental properties require a reliable source of heating that can warm the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the most 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 well-being.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it should include an thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source, such as a heat pump, then it may require some additional energy to ensure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the quality because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Grenada Village

Every living space in a rental property must contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to take moisture away.

The ventilation standard is all about recognising it is that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable , and thus are not require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or skylight requirements to be able open to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your property with shower, bath cooker or any other moisture generating item will need adequate extractor fans that are vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

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

A warm dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Grenada Village

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory in all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is up to the new quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and it will make more easy for the home to keep heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

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

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

Grenada Village Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s usually those things that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue, causing damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from rising into the building. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Grenada Village

The areas of rental property that are affected through the Healthy Homes Standards in Grenada Village include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Grenada Village for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to be able to examine during an home review to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental property home assessment.