Healthy Homes Assessment Grenada Village

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must ensure 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 rental properties must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are 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 is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work which needs to be done, and offer the report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes relevant fines.

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

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on the Grenada Village rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they may receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out, so it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct when the tenancy contract is executed, and it should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It is also important to keep in mind that landlords who manage several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct an house assessment done for your rental property.

See the full details for this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households rent in New Zealand and Grenada Village, and research suggests that rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who report at least four key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Improving the quality of Grenada Village rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and living because of diseases. Your investment is also better safeguarded 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 as Draught stopping within Grenada Village rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Grenada Village Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Grenada Village

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in households. A humid house costs more to heat, which results in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole or crack, then it is likely a crack or an opening that requirements sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out within the home require sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated whenever imaginable.

You don’t need to block gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement within the building as the household gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will test every window and door during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

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

Heating Grenada Village

Grenada Village rental properties require a reliable source of heating that can heat the largest or main living room to at least 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it should have the thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source, such as the heat pump, it might need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Grenada Village

Each living space within a rental house must have at least one openable doors or windows to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

A ventilation quality is about recognising that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or skylight needs at least open to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your house that houses a bath, shower cooker or any other water-generating appliance will need appropriate extractor fans that vent towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Grenada Village

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory on all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation meets this new quality. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and will also make more easy to the house to hold heat.

Insulation requirements 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 the insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more efficient the insulation.

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

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Grenada Village Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow and also stop it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s typically the things you don’t notice that could be a huge problem, causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to be equipped with efficient drainage to remove rainwater, storm water and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from entering the building. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Learn more about 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 through Health Homes Standard. 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 a myriad of concerns to look over during the home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenant solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property house assessment.