Healthy Homes Assessment Plimmerton

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must make sure 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 are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate 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 done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, as well as completely certified to evaluate both 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 contract is signed on a Plimmerton rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be finished within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is signed. It must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s also crucial to remember that a landlord with multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and request an home assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households rent in New Zealand and Plimmerton, and research shows us that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the homes of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who experience four or more major housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Plimmerton rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of health issues. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping 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 can lead to dropping temperatures within households. A damp house costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or hole which needs sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out into your house require to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped as much as possible.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for the movement of the building when the household warms and cools to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will check all windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for healthy houses

Heating Plimmerton

Rental properties in Plimmerton require a reliable source of heat which can warm the living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the current fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not 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 be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as heat pumps, it might just need some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Plimmerton

Each liveable space in the rental property should have at least one openable doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about understanding how the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t liveable , and thus don’t require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or skylight requirements to be able open to the outside while remaining at an open angle in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will need suitable extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

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

A dry and warm house is a healthy house

Insulation Plimmerton

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement on all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and will also make more easy to allow the household to hold warmth.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

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

Plimmerton Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside; you have to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is frequently those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem and end up causing the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from entering the structure. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Plimmerton

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Plimmerton for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns you should look for during the home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For expert assistance, get in touch today and book your rental property house assessment.