Healthy Homes Assessment Plimmerton

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure that their Plimmerton rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must 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 will evaluate your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be done and provide a report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

Our company is fully independent assessors for rental properties, we are fully qualified for 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, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Plimmerton rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be taken care of within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Plimmerton rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property which could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it must be updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It’s important to note that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given only for serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a home inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Plimmerton, and research indicates that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative health results, specifically for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more key house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Plimmerton rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and living because of health issues. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping on Plimmerton rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Plimmerton

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A cold house will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a gap or hole, then it’s likely a crack or crack that needs sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out of your home need seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as much as imaginable.

You don’t need to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow movement of the building when the household is heated and cools in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will check every window and door as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Plimmerton

Plimmerton rental properties must have a fixed source of heating that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. 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 heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether your current permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to top up by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it must have a thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a central heating source, like the heat pump, it might just require an upgrade to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the standard as they are either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Plimmerton

Each liveable space in the rental property should contain at minimum one open door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is about recognising how dry air is easier to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t liveable and therefore do not require an opening window or door.

Every window, door 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 air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your house that houses shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will require proper extractor fan systems that are vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Plimmerton

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure the insulation meets this new quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and also makes more easy to allow the house to keep heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values of your area.

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Plimmerton Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go and also stop it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is typically the things you don’t notice that can become a big problem that can cause the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have effective drainage to remove rainwater, storm water and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a location to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the building. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

See the full details of this 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 by The Healthy Homes Standard in Plimmerton include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Plimmerton for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to look over when conducting a house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today and book your rental properties home assessment.