Healthy Homes Assessment Plimmerton

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks which needs to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes related fines.

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, we are fully certified to evaluate each of 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, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Plimmerton rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be completed by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as being the person who is letting the property and it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

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

It is also important to be aware that landlords who have multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are reserved for severe breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have an house assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

Check out the complete details of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Plimmerton, and research suggests that rental houses tend to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Furthermore, people who report four or more key issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the quality of Plimmerton rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and living because of illness. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

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

Contact us now to discuss getting a Plimmerton Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Plimmerton

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in households. A damp house costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap, then it’s likely a crack or an opening that requirements sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out of the house need to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped whenever imaginable.

There is no require to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure as the house warms and cools in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will examine all windows and doors in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Plimmerton

Plimmerton rental properties require a reliable source of heating which can warm the largest or main living room to at least 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump it must include an thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source, such as heat pumps, it might just need an update to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Plimmerton

Every living space in a rental house must contain at minimum one open doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

The ventilation standard is all about recognising that dry air is less difficult to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore are not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or the skylight needs for them to be in a position open to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your property with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will require proper extractor fan systems that can be vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

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

A cozy dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Plimmerton

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory on all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation is up to this new quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and will also make much easier to allow the house to hold warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet 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 greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• 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 underfloor R 1.3
• 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 the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Plimmerton Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s frequently the concerns you don’t notice that can become a big problem and end up causing damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to remove rainwater, storm water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from rising into the home. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Plimmerton

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Plimmerton for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things you should look for in the home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenant services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional advice, call today to schedule your rental properties house assessment.