Healthy Homes Assessment Plimmerton

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work required. needs to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes related fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, as well as fully 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, if a new or renewed contract is signed on a Plimmerton rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be completed within 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant may be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out and it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It must be updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is important to remember that landlords who manage multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for severe breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with huge fines, in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct an home inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households rent from New Zealand and Plimmerton, and research suggests that rental homes tend to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and are of lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who have reported at least four key home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Plimmerton rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and daily life because of illness. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less costs of maintenance in the long run.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Plimmerton

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in homes. A draughty home will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting money and energy.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap and you are able to feel it, it is likely to be a gap or hole that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out from your house need sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated whenever possible.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for the movement of the building when the house heats and cools, so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will examine the windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is important for well-being houses

Heating Plimmerton

Plimmerton rental properties should have a permanent source of heat that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to top up with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it needs to have the thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. In most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as an air conditioner, it might require some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Plimmerton

Each liveable space in a rental house must contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

It is the ventilation quality is all about acknowledging how dried air can be less difficult to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t liveable and are not need an opening door or window.

Each door, window or skylight needs to be able to open to the outside, but remain closed in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will require suitable extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Plimmerton

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement on all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation is in line with the new quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and will also make much easier for the house to retain heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder area 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Plimmerton Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about the inside but you must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s often the concerns you don’t notice that could become a major issue and cause the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a location to go and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the building. 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 to Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Plimmerton include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Plimmerton for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to look over in the home review to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, 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 the tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert advice, call today to book your rental properties house evaluation.