Healthy Homes Assessment Plimmerton

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Plimmerton rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully 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 is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work needed to be completed. requirements to be done and provide a report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors for rental properties, as well as completely qualified to evaluate 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, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on 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, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Plimmerton rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they may be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and is updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It’s also crucial to note that landlords with multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are reserved for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and arrange to have an home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Check out the complete details of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Plimmerton, and research indicates that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating and are of lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who experience four or more major home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the quality of Plimmerton rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping in Plimmerton rental properties.

Begin now by calling about receiving a Plimmerton Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Plimmerton

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within households. A draughty house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a hole or gap that is, it’s likely a crack or an opening that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit of your house need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated whenever possible.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement of the structure as the household heats and cools, so that they can still be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will test all doors and windows during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Plimmerton

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

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the current fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat source, then it must include an thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a central heating source like a heat pump, then it might require an update to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Plimmerton

Every living space in a rental property has to include at least one open window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about understanding how dry air will be easier to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable and are not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or skylight requirements to be able open to the outside and remain at an open angle in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your property with a bath, shower and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is a healthy home

Insulation Plimmerton

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required to all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure the insulation meets this new quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and will also make much easier for the house to keep warmth.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9, 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

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

Plimmerton Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the inside it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface or ground water and prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is typically the things you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble and cause damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the building. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Find out all the details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Plimmerton

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Plimmerton for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to check during the home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today to book your rental properties home evaluation.