Healthy Homes Assessment Plimmerton

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords must ensure their Plimmerton rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks required. needs to be done and offer an evaluation report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes relevant fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re completely certified to assess both 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, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Plimmerton rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they may receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is named on the lease contract as the person leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct when the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It’s also important to keep in mind that landlords who manage several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and request an house inspection performed for your rental property.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households in New Zealand and Plimmerton, and research suggests that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating and are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who experience four or more key home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Enhancing the standard of Plimmerton 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 diseases. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Control in 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 are a major cause of low temperatures inside houses. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap or crack, then it’s likely a crack or hole that needs sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out within your home require to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped whenever imaginable.

There is no need to cover up gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for the movement of the building as the house is heated and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will examine all doors and windows as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Plimmerton

Plimmerton rental properties need to have a stable source of heating that is able to heat the main or largest living space to at least 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source, such as an air conditioner, it may require some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Plimmerton

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

It is the ventilation standard is all about recognising that dry air will be much easier to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable and do not need an opening door or window.

Each door, window or skylight needs for them to be in a position to open to the outside and remain set in an opening position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your home that has shower, bath cooker or any other humidity-generating items will require appropriate extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Plimmerton

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation is in line with current standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and will also make more easy to allow the home to keep heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest part 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

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

Plimmerton Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow and also stop it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is typically what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble, causing the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a location to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from getting into the building. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Plimmerton

The areas of rental property that are affected by Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Plimmerton include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Plimmerton for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to check during a house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice get in touch today and book your rental properties home assessment.