Healthy Homes Assessment Plimmerton

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 must make sure that their Plimmerton rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

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

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

We can evaluate your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work that needs to be completed and provide a report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes related fines.

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, and are fully certified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Plimmerton rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Plimmerton rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the property manager does not supply the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty up to $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property, so it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It is crucial to remember that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down only for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and request an house assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Plimmerton, and research has shown that these rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who report at least four key housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Improve the quality of Plimmerton rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of diseases. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Control in Plimmerton rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Plimmerton Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Plimmerton

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in houses. A humid home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or hole which needs sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out into your home require to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no require to block up intentional gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow movement of the building as the home warms and cools to allow them to be opened and closed rather than securing. We will examine the windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Plimmerton

Plimmerton rental properties require a reliable source of heating that can heat the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the existing installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like the 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 a thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source, like a heat pump, then it might just need an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Plimmerton

Each liveable space in a rental property has to contain at minimum one open doors or windows to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation standard is about recognising how dried air can be easier to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or skylight needs at least to open up to the outside, and stay set in an opening position to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your property with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will need adequate extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Plimmerton

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement on all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure the insulation meets current quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and will also make much easier to allow the household to hold warmth.

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 insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest area 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, underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Plimmerton Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go and prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s often those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between the floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Plimmerton

Rental property areas affected by Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Plimmerton include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Plimmerton for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to be able to examine during an house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

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