Healthy Homes Assessment Plimmerton

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure that their Plimmerton rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check 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 of the tasks needed to be completed. needs to be done, and provide the report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes relevant fines.

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

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Plimmerton rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on the 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 by the end of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s also crucial to be aware that a landlord with multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in huge fines, in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct an house assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households rent homes in New Zealand and Plimmerton, and research indicates that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who experience four or more major housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Enhancing the standard of Plimmerton rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught Control for Plimmerton rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Plimmerton Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Plimmerton

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside households. A humid home costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap or crack, then it’s probably a gap or hole which needs sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into your home need seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as possible.

There is no need to block off holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure as the home warms and cools in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will inspect every window and door during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Plimmerton

Rental properties in Plimmerton should have a permanent source of heating which can warm the living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it requirements to be equipped with an thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a central heating source, such as the heat pump, it might just need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Plimmerton

Each liveable space in a rental property has to include at least one open window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about understanding it is that dry air is less difficult to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not living spaces and therefore are not require an opening window or door.

Each door, window or the skylight requirements at least to open to the outside, but remain closed, allowing the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your house that houses shower, bath, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will need proper extractor fan systems that vent to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A cozy dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Plimmerton

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required to all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation meets this new quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and it will make it easier to allow the house to retain heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the 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 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

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Plimmerton Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move and prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s frequently the things you don’t notice that could be a huge problem, causing damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring 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 Plimmerton

Areas of rental properties that are impacted by Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Plimmerton include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Plimmerton for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns you should look for during an home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenancy services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional advice get in touch now and schedule your rental property home assessment.