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? Landlords are now required to ensure 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 rentals are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work required. requirements to be done, and offer an evaluation report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, we are completely certified for 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, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Plimmerton rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be finished by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It is also crucial to remember that landlords with multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are reserved for the most serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and arrange to have a house assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Plimmerton, and research shows us that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who report four or more major issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Plimmerton rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and living due to health issues. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

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

Get started now and contact us about having a Plimmerton Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Plimmerton

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside houses. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or a clear draught out of a hole or gap and you can feel it, it is probably a gap or crack that requirements sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into the house require to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

You don’t require to block up intentional holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow movement of the building as the home warms and cools so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will test all windows and doors in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for well-being houses

Heating Plimmerton

Rental properties in Plimmerton must have a fixed source of heating that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the existing fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it requirements to have a thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might just require an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Plimmerton

Each liveable space in a rental property must contain at minimum one open door or window to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about understanding how dry air will be less difficult to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not living spaces and therefore do not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or skylight needs for them to be in a position of opening to the outside while remaining at an open angle, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your home that has a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture generating item will need appropriate extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Plimmerton

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory on all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation meets the new standard. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and it will make more easy for the home to hold warmth.

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

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

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

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Plimmerton Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building but you must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water and stop it from coming into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s usually not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Plimmerton

Areas of rental properties that are impacted by Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards 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 in the house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property house assessment.