Healthy Homes Assessment Plimmerton

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? The landlords are now required to 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 are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in 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 meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks that requirements to be completed, and offer a report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties as well as completely qualified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Plimmerton rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on the Plimmerton rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct when the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be kept updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is also important to keep in mind that landlords who have multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved only for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct a home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households rent from New Zealand and Plimmerton, and research suggests that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating and have lower quality than the homes of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who report at least four key housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Plimmerton rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to diseases. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control within Plimmerton rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Plimmerton

Draughts can lead to less temperature in houses. A draughty house costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or hole which requirements sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of your home require the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to block off gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will inspect the windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Plimmerton

Rental properties in Plimmerton must have a fixed source of heat which can warm the living space to at least 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if your current fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump it should have a thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. In most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source, like the heat pump, it might need some additional energy to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Plimmerton

Every living space of a rental property must include at least one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation standard is about recognising it is that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable , and thus do not need an opening window or door.

Each door, window or skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open up to the outside, and stay set in an opening position, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your property with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is an ideal house

Insulation Plimmerton

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement on all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation is in line with current quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and also makes it easier to allow the household to retain the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation is able to resist 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 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 (underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Plimmerton Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is usually what you don’t see that could become a major issue and cause damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between your flooring and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the home. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor 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 Plimmerton

Rental property areas affected by the Healthy Homes Standards in Plimmerton include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Plimmerton for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to look over in the home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a ruling on tenancy services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert advice, call now and schedule your rental property house assessment.