Healthy Homes Assessment Gracefield

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure that their Gracefield rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work that requirements to be completed, and offer the report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re completely qualified 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 new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Gracefield rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be finished within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on the Gracefield rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It is crucial to remember that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are reserved for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and request a house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households homes in New Zealand and Gracefield, and research shows us that these rental homes tend to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and have lower quality than the homes of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative health results, specifically for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who experience four or more key home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

Improve the quality of Gracefield rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to illness. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means less maintenance costs 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 Draught Control on Gracefield rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about the Gracefield Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Gracefield

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in houses. A humid house is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap that is, it is probably a gap or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out into your house require sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped whenever possible.

You don’t require to block off holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement within the building as the household gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will examine all doors and windows during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Gracefield

Gracefield rental properties need to have a stable source of heating that is able to heat the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe 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 make your heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source like a heat pump, then it might need a top up to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Gracefield

Every living space in a rental property has to include at least one open door or window to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about recognising how dry air is easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or skylight needs to have the ability open to the outside, but remain closed to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath cooker or any other moisture-producing item will need appropriate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

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

A warm dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Gracefield

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory to all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation is up to the new standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and will also make an easier task for the home to keep the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and 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 standard.

Gracefield Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is often the things you don’t notice that can become a big problem and cause damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have effective drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps to prevent 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 Gracefield

The areas of rental property that are affected with Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Gracefield include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Gracefield for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to be able to examine when conducting the house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a Tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice, call now and schedule your rental property home evaluation.