Healthy Homes Assessment Grenada Village

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure 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 in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks needed to be completed. needs to be completed, and offer the report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements 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 in addition to any healthier homes associated fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, we 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

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Grenada Village rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be finished within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It is crucial to note that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given only for serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct an home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

Check out the complete details of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

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

Moldy, damp and cold houses are associated with negative health results, specifically for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who reported at least four key home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Grenada Village rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to illness. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Grenada Village

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in homes. A draughty home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap that is, it is likely to be a gap or hole which needs sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit of your home require sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched as far as possible.

You don’t require to block off holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement of the building as the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will inspect all doors and windows in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

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

Heating Grenada Village

Grenada Village rental properties must have a fixed heating source that is able to heat 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 and mental wellbeing.

The heating source needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat source, it should include a thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source, like heat pumps, it could need some additional energy to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the standard since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Grenada Village

Each liveable space in a rental property must include at least one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about recognising it is that dry air is less difficult to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and do not require an opening window or door.

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

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your property with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will need suitable extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A warm dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Grenada Village

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory on all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation meets this new standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, as well as making it easier to allow the house to hold heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

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

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Grenada Village Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the inside but you must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water, and stop it from coming inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s often those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue and cause damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have effective drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Grenada Village

Property rental areas that are affected to Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Grenada Village include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Grenada Village for Rental Properties

There are many concerns you should look for in the home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenant solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today to book your rental properties home assessment.