Healthy Homes Assessment Grenada Village

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The 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 certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks that needs to be completed, and offer the report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties as well as fully certified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Grenada Village rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new or renewed lease is entered into on the Grenada Village rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property It could also be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct when the tenancy contract is completed, and is updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It is crucial to note that landlords who manage several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and request a home inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Grenada Village, and research shows us that these rental homes tend to be colder, older, have less effective heating and tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who have reported at least four major home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Improve the standard of Grenada Village rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to illness. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Grenada Village

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in houses. A damp house will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole and you are able to feel it, it is probably a gap or an opening that needs sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out within the house require seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

There is no need to cover up gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow movement of the structure as the household heats and cools, so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will examine the windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Grenada Village

Grenada Village rental properties need to have a stable source of heat that is able to heat the main or largest living space to at least 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile 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 pump, it should include a thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a central heating source, such as heat pumps, it may require an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Grenada Village

Each living space within a rental house must have at least one openable window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

This ventilation quality is all about acknowledging how dried air can be less difficult to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or the skylight requirements to be able open to the outside, and stay closed in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your house that houses shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will require adequate extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Grenada Village

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required to all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure the insulation meets current quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and also makes much easier to the house to retain heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values required for your area

The "R" is a symbol 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 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest area 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

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Grenada Village Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow, and stop it from coming into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is usually not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble that can cause the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from entering the structure. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Grenada Village

Rental property areas affected to Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Grenada Village include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Grenada Village for Rental Properties

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

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental property house assessment.