Healthy Homes Assessment Plimmerton

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The subjects covered in 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 satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks required. needs to be done, and provide a report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, and are completely qualified 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, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Plimmerton rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be finished inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Plimmerton rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there could 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 are living in. If the property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as being the person leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be current when the tenancy contract is completed, and should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s important to keep in mind that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down only for serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in significant fines and still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have an home inspection performed for your rental property.

See the full details for the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households rent in New Zealand and Plimmerton, and research shows us that these rental homes are most likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative health results, specifically for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Additionally, those who reported at least four major issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Plimmerton rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to health issues. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs over the long term.

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

Begin now by calling about getting a Plimmerton Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Plimmerton

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within households. A humid house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap and you can feel it, it is probably a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit into the home need sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t require to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement of the structure when the household gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will inspect all doors and windows during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Plimmerton

Plimmerton rental properties must have a fixed heating source that can warm the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the 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 that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat source, it should include the thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source, like heat pumps, it may need an update to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the quality because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Plimmerton

Every living space of the rental property should include at least one open doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about understanding that dry air is easier to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

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

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your property with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will require adequate extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Plimmerton

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement on all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure the insulation meets the new standard. 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 will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and also makes more easy for the house to keep heat.

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

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

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

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Plimmerton Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go, and stop it from coming inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s usually the concerns you don’t notice that could be a huge problem and end up causing damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water is able to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the building. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Plimmerton

Rental property areas affected through Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Plimmerton include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Plimmerton for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to look over in an house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an Tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For expert advice, call today to schedule your rental property home evaluation.