Healthy Homes Assessment Grenada Village

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must make sure that their Grenada Village rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work needed to be completed. needs to be done and offer a report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes relevant fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re completely qualified 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, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Grenada Village rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be taken care of within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new or renewed contract is signed on a Grenada Village rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s also crucial to be aware that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down only for serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have an home assessment performed on your rental property.

Get the full description of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households rent the property in New Zealand and Grenada Village, and research shows us that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who have reported four or more key home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Improving the quality of Grenada Village rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and living due to diseases. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping in Grenada Village rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss the Grenada Village Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Grenada Village

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within households. A damp house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole or crack, then it is likely a crack or crack that requirements sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out within your house require the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as far as possible.

There is no require to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for the movement of the building when the house is heated and cools to allow them to be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will check all doors and windows as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Grenada Village

Rental properties in Grenada Village need to have a stable heating source that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, 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 health and mental outlook.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the current fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must have the thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as an air conditioner, it might just need an update to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the quality because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Check out the complete details to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Grenada Village

Every living space in a rental property must include at least one open door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about recognising that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not living spaces and therefore don’t need an opening door or window.

Every window, door or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open to the outside, and stay at an open angle to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your property with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will need adequate extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is a healthy home

Insulation Grenada Village

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory on all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and it will make more easy to allow the house to hold heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the standard of 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 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Grenada Village Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow and stop it from coming into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is usually the things you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble and cause damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

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

An underground moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor 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

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

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Grenada Village for Rental Properties

There are numerous things you should look for in the home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenant solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For expert advice, call now and schedule your rental property home evaluation.