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? 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 completely 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 determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work that requirements to be done, and provide an assessment report that includes all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re completely certified to evaluate both 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, if a new or renewed contract is signed on a Grenada Village rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be done within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on the 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 deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It is updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It is crucial to keep in mind that landlords who manage multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are handed down only for serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and request an house assessment performed on your rental property.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Grenada Village, and research suggests that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative well-being results, specifically for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. In addition, people who reported four or more key home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

The improvement in the standard of Grenada Village rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and living because of illness. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Grenada Village

Draughts may lead to less temperature in houses. A humid home is more expensive to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes 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 gap or hole and you can feel it, it’s most likely a gap or hole which needs sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out of the house need seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed 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 required to allow for movement within the structure as the house is heated and cools so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will examine all windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Grenada Village

Grenada Village rental properties should have a permanent source of heat which can warm the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested 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) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the current permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to top up with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat source, then it must have the thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like the heat pump, it may need an update to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Grenada Village

Each living space within a rental property has to contain at minimum one open door or window to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about recognising it is that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position open to the outside, but remain at an open angle to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your property with shower, bath and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will require proper extractor fan systems that can be vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is a healthy home

Insulation Grenada Village

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required to all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation meets current quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and will also make an easier task to allow the household to hold the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

• Zone 1 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 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Grenada Village Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is frequently those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Learn more about 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 Standards in Grenada Village include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Grenada Village for Rental Properties

There are many things to look over when conducting the home assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenant services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to book your rental properties home assessment.