Healthy Homes Assessment Gracefield

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Gracefield rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks that requirements to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, as well as completely certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6791

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Gracefield rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be taken care of within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new or renewed lease is entered into on the Gracefield rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 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 is not included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It’s important to note that a landlord who own several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are reserved for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with large fines in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and request an home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Gracefield, and research indicates that rental houses are likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who report four or more key house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Improve the standard of Gracefield rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and living because of health issues. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

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

Start now and call about having a Gracefield Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Gracefield

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in households. A humid house costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a crack or a gap and you are able to feel it, it’s likely to be a gap or hole which needs sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out into your home need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no need to block gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement within the structure as the house is heated and cools to allow them to be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will test all windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Gracefield

Gracefield rental properties require a reliable source of heating that can heat the living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump it should be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a central heating source, such as the heat pump, it may need some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Gracefield

Each living space within the rental property should include at least one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about understanding the fact that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or Skylight requirements to be able to open to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your property with shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will need adequate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

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

A dry and warm home is an ideal house

Insulation Gracefield

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement in all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and will also make much easier to the house to hold heat.

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

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

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

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Gracefield Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is usually not apparent that it could be a huge problem and end up causing damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the home. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor 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 Gracefield

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Gracefield for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to look over when conducting a house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a tenant solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental properties house evaluation.