Healthy Homes Assessment Plimmerton

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Plimmerton rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work required. requirements to be done and offer an assessment report that includes all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes related fines.

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, we are completely certified for both 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 tasks have to be finished inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new, renewed or varied 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 by the end of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers who provide a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as being the person letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is completed, and should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s crucial to note that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for the most serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and ask us to conduct an house assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households the property in New Zealand and Plimmerton, and research indicates that rental homes are likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. In addition, people who experience at least four key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

Improve the standard of Plimmerton rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of diseases. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control within Plimmerton rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Plimmerton

Draughts may lead to less temperature in homes. A cold house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out into your house require to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated whenever possible.

There is no need to block off gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for the movement of the structure as the house is heated and cools so that they can still be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will examine all doors and windows during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for well-being homes

Heating Plimmerton

Plimmerton rental properties must have a fixed source of heating that can heat the largest or main living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The heating source needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it should be equipped with the thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source like heat pumps, it could require an upgrade to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Plimmerton

Each liveable space in the rental property should contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

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

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore are not require an opening window or door.

Each door, window or skylight needs for them to be in a position open to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your house that houses a bath, shower, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will need appropriate extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

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

A warm dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Plimmerton

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory in all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and also makes an easier task for the house to retain warmth.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

• 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 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

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

Plimmerton Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water, and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s usually not apparent that it could become a major issue and end up causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from rising into the building. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Plimmerton

The areas of rental property that are affected through the Healthy Homes Standard in Plimmerton include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Plimmerton for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to check when conducting a house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a Tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental properties home evaluation.