Healthy Homes Assessment Plimmerton

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Plimmerton rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work needed to be completed. requirements to be done and offer a report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes associated fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental property, we are completely certified to evaluate 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 items must be completed inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on the Plimmerton rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they will receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it must be updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It’s also important to be aware that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for severe violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have an house evaluation performed on your rental property.

Find the full information on the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

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

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who reported at least four major house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Plimmerton rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will also be better secured 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 set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Control within Plimmerton rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss the Plimmerton Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Plimmerton

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside houses. A humid home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear out of a hole or gap, then it is likely to be a gap or hole that requirements sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out of your house need sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated as far as imaginable.

There is no need to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement within the structure as the household heats and cools, to allow them to be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will check the windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for healthy homes

Heating Plimmerton

Rental properties in Plimmerton need to have a stable heating source which can warm the living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), then it must include the thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. For most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source like heat pumps, it could require an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Plimmerton

Every living space in a rental property has to contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about recognising it is that dried air can be more easy to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or Skylight requirements at least to open up to the outside and remain at an open angle in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your home that has a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will need proper extractor fan systems that vent towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Plimmerton

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement for all rent houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure the insulation meets the new standard. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and it will make more easy to allow the household to retain heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Plimmerton Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water, and stop it from coming inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is often those things that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem and end up causing damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the property. It also helps to prevent any damage to your 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 Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Plimmerton include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Plimmerton for Rental Properties

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

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenant solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today to book your rental property home assessment.