Healthy Homes Assessment Plimmerton

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks required. needs to be completed and offer the report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re completely certified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed lease is entered into on a Plimmerton rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It is also important to note that landlords who own several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for the most serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and request an home inspection performed for your rental property.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

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

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative health results, specifically for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who report at least four key issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Enhancing the standard of Plimmerton rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and living because of diseases. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught stopping for Plimmerton rental properties.

Start now and call about receiving a Plimmerton Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Plimmerton

Draughts may lead to less temperature in homes. A cold house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a hole or gap that is, it is likely a crack or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out of your house need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement of the structure as the home warms and cools in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will examine the windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Plimmerton

Rental properties in Plimmerton must have a fixed source of heating that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it should be equipped with the thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as heat pumps, it may need a top up to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Plimmerton

Each liveable space in the rental property should contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

This ventilation standard is all about recognising the fact that dried air can be easier to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered liveable and are not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or skylight needs to be able to open up to the outside, but remain closed, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home with a bath, shower cooker or any other humidity-generating items will require adequate extractor fans which are vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is a healthy house

Insulation Plimmerton

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory for all rent homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure the insulation meets current quality. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and it will make an easier task for the house to keep heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor 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 what’s inside the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s often not apparent that it could be a huge problem and end up causing the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in 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 quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Plimmerton

Property rental areas that are affected through Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Plimmerton include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Plimmerton for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things you should look for in a house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation 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 an Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenant services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to book your rental properties house evaluation.