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 July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure 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 completely certified 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 assess the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following 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 information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors for rental properties, as well as 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, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Grenada Village rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be done by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It is also crucial to keep in mind that landlords who own multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with significant fines and still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct a house evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households in New Zealand and Grenada Village, and research suggests that rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than the homes of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who experience at least four key home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Improving the standard of Grenada Village rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and living due to illness. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance over the long term.

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.

Start now and call about the Grenada Village Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Grenada Village

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside homes. A humid home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or a clear draught out of a hole or gap that is, it’s likely a crack or crack that needs sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out of your home need to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated whenever possible.

You don’t require to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement within the building as the household gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will examine all windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Grenada Village

Rental properties in Grenada Village require a reliable heating source which can warm the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether your current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require 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 under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat source, it needs to be equipped with the thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source such as a heat pump, then it could need an upgrade to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Grenada Village

Every living space in a rental house must include at least one open doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about understanding it is that dry air is less difficult to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements to be able of opening to the outside, and stay at an open angle in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your house that houses a bath, shower, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will require suitable extractor fans that are vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Grenada Village

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and will also make more easy for the home to hold warmth.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, more efficient the insulation.

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

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

Grenada Village Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically what you don’t see that could become a major issue that can cause damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if 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 present in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of The 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 to the Healthy Homes Standards in Grenada Village include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Grenada Village for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to look over in an home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today to book your rental property home evaluation.