Healthy Homes Assessment Plimmerton

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must make sure that their Plimmerton rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must be fully conforming by the 1st 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 check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of the work required. needs to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re completely qualified to assess 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, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Plimmerton rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property which could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It must be updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s important to note that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for the most serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property call us now and request a home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Plimmerton, and research indicates that rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating and are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who experience four or more major issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Improving the quality of Plimmerton rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and living due to illness. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Control on Plimmerton rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Plimmerton

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside households. A damp house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it is likely to be a gap or hole that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out of your home require to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as far as possible.

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

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

Proper heating is important for healthy houses

Heating Plimmerton

Plimmerton rental properties require a reliable source of heating which can warm the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top-up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump, then it must include a thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like small apartments an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a central heating source like a heat pump, then it might require some additional energy to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the quality because they’re costly, not affordable to run, and/or unsafe to run.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Plimmerton

Every living space in the rental property should contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is about recognising that dried air can be more easy to heat and the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or Skylight requirements to have the ability to open to the outside and remain at an open angle, allowing the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your house that houses shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will need appropriate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is an ideal home

Insulation Plimmerton

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory to all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and also makes much easier to allow the home to retain warmth.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values required for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Plimmerton Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move and to prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s usually what you don’t see that could become a major issue, causing damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps prevent 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

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

• Living Room
• 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 when conducting an house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice, call today and book your rental properties home evaluation.