Healthy Homes Assessment Grenada Village

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks which needs to be done and offer an assessment report that includes all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties as well as completely 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, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Grenada Village rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Grenada Village rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant can be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it is updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It is also important to be aware that landlords with multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and request a home evaluation 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?

Around 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Grenada Village, and research has shown that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative well-being results, specifically for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who have reported at least four key house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Improve the standard of Grenada Village rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping in Grenada Village rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about getting a Grenada Village Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Grenada Village

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in houses. A humid home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap or crack, then it is most likely a gap or hole which needs sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out within your house need seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t require to block holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement of the building when the house warms and cools so that they are able to be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect every window and door as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

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

Heating Grenada Village

Grenada Village rental properties need to have a stable source of heat which can warm the living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it should include a thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source, like the heat pump, it might just require a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Grenada Village

Every living space of a rental property must include at least one open doors or windows to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

This ventilation quality is about recognising the fact that dried air can be easier to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open up to the outside while remaining closed to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your home that has a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture generating item will require adequate extractor fans that vent towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

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

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Grenada Village

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement on all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure the insulation meets the new quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and it will make it easier to the house to hold heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor 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

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Grenada Village Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s often those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem, causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water is able to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between your flooring and the ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from rising into the property. It also helps in preventing 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 Village

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Grenada Village include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Grenada Village for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to check when conducting a home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional advice get in touch today to book your rental property house evaluation.