Healthy Homes Assessment Grenada Village

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure their Grenada Village rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully conforming by the 1st 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’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks that needs to be done, and provide an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, and are completely qualified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Grenada Village rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be completed inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Grenada Village rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It’s crucial to be aware that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have an house assessment 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 are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households rent from New Zealand and Grenada Village, and research indicates that rental houses tend to be colder, older and have less effective heating and tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who have reported at least four key issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the standard of Grenada Village rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and living due to illnesses. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping for Grenada Village rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about having a Grenada Village Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Grenada Village

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap or crack, then it’s probably a gap or crack that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out within your home require seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as much as imaginable.

There is no need to block gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow movement of the building as the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will inspect all windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Grenada Village

Rental properties in Grenada Village should have a permanent heating source that 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 and mental outlook.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the existing installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it should have an thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a central heating source such as the heat pump, it might need an update to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Grenada Village

Each living space within a rental property has to include at least one open doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to take moisture away.

A ventilation standard is all about acknowledging the fact that dry air is more easy to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or skylight requirements for them to be in a position of opening to the outside while remaining set in an opening position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your property with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will require proper extractor fan systems that are vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Grenada Village

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement for all rent houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might require to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness as well as making more easy to allow the house to hold heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

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

Grenada Village Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s frequently not apparent that it can become a big problem that can cause damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between floorboards and the ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor 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

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

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Grenada Village for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to be able to examine in an house review to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenancy services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional advice, call today and book your rental property home evaluation.