Healthy Homes Assessment Gracefield

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure their Gracefield rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas 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 if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work that requirements to be completed, and provide the report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re completely certified for both 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, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Gracefield rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be completed inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on the Gracefield rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting 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 when the tenancy contract is completed, and is updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It’s also important to keep in mind that landlords who have several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are handed down for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and make arrangements to have an home assessment done for your rental property.

See the full details for this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households the property in New Zealand and Gracefield, and research shows us that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as heart diseases. In addition, people who experience four or more key housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Gracefield rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living because of illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower maintenance costs over 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 Control within Gracefield rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss the Gracefield Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Gracefield

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside households. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a hole or gap, then it’s likely a crack or hole which needs sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out from your house need the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated whenever possible.

There is no require to block up intentional gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement within the building as the household heats and cools, so that they can still be opened and closed rather than securing. We will examine all windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Gracefield

Rental properties in Gracefield must have a fixed heating source that can heat the living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it must have the thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source, such as the heat pump, it might just need some additional energy to make sure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

See the full details to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Gracefield

Every living space of a rental home must have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

A ventilation standard is all about understanding that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or Skylight requirements to be able open to the outside and remain closed to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your home with shower, bath, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will need adequate extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

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

A warm dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Gracefield

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory to all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation meets the new quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, as well as making much easier for the house to retain warmth.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and 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

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

Gracefield Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually the things you don’t notice that could be a huge problem and end up causing damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from getting into the building. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Find out all the details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Gracefield

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

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Gracefield for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to check when conducting an house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. 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 replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice get in touch today to book your rental properties home evaluation.