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? The 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 in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks which needs to be done, and provide a report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes related fines.

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, as well as completely certified for 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 or renewed tenancy is signed for a Grenada Village rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be completed inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant will be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is letting the property out It could also be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It is also important to remember that a landlord who own multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are given for the most serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with huge fines, in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have a house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households rent from New Zealand and Grenada Village, and research suggests that rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally have lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who experience four or more key issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Improve the quality of Grenada Village rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to illness. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping within Grenada Village rental properties.

Begin now by calling about receiving a 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 households. A draughty home will cost more to heat, which results in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the air is clear out of a hole or gap, then it is likely to be a gap or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out from the house need seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement within the structure as the household warms and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will examine all doors and windows as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Grenada Village

Rental properties in Grenada Village need to have a stable source of heating that can warm the largest or main living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. 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 heating needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the current fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to top up by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), then it must have a thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source, such as an air conditioner, it may require some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the quality because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, or unsafe to operate.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Grenada Village

Each liveable space in a rental property has to have at least one opening doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

A ventilation quality is all about recognising that dry air is much easier to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or skylight needs to have the ability of opening to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your house that houses shower, bath, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will need proper extractor fan systems that can be vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

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

A cozy dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Grenada Village

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required on all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and it will make it easier for the home to keep heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of the 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 and underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Grenada Village Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building but 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 is damp and moisture, it is frequently what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between your flooring and the ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the home. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Learn more about this 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 to Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Grenada Village include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Grenada Village for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to be able to examine in a house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenant services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice, call today and book your rental property home evaluation.