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 now have to make sure that their Grenada Village rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start 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 will evaluate your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about any work required. requirements to be completed, and provide the report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’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 any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes associated fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, we are completely certified for both 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 Village rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be finished by the end of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out 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 current when the tenancy contract is executed, and it is updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s also important to remember that a landlord who own multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are reserved only for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with huge fines, in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct a house assessment done for your rental property.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households rent from New Zealand and Grenada Village, and research shows us that these rental homes tend to be older, colder, have less effective heating and have lower quality than the homes of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who experience four or more major home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Improving the standard of Grenada Village rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to health issues. 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 list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping for 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 can lead to lower temperatures in homes. A humid house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a gap or hole that is, it is most likely a gap or an opening that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out into your house require sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched as much as possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement within the building when the household is heated and cools in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will examine all windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for healthy houses

Heating Grenada Village

Grenada Village rental properties must have a fixed source of heating that can heat the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the current installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top-up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it must have an thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as heat pumps, it may need an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Grenada Village

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one openable doors or windows to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about recognising it is that dry air is much easier to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus do not need an opening window or door.

Each door, window or the skylight requirements to have the ability to open to the outside, but remain closed to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will need suitable extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

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

A dry and warm house is a healthy house

Insulation Grenada Village

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement on all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation meets the new standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and also makes an easier task for the home to keep warmth.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of the 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 Village Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the inside; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water and to prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually those things that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water is able to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and the surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the structure. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Grenada Village

Areas of rental properties that are impacted by the Healthy Homes Standard in Grenada Village include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Grenada Village for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to look over during a house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today to book your rental properties home assessment.