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 now have to make sure that their Plimmerton rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully certified 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 determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work required. needs to be completed, and offer an assessment report that includes all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes relevant fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties we are completely certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6793

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Plimmerton rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be done within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Plimmerton rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate when the tenancy contract is signed. It must be updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It’s also crucial to remember that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct an home assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Plimmerton, and research indicates that rental homes tend to be colder, older and are not as effective heating and have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who have reported four or more key issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Improving the standard of Plimmerton rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control in Plimmerton rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss receiving 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 humid home will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap or crack, then it is probably a gap or hole that needs sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of the house require sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated as far as imaginable.

You don’t require to cover up holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement within the building as the household warms and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will check every window and door as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Plimmerton

Rental properties in Plimmerton should have a permanent source of heating that can heat the main or largest living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the existing permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump, then it must have an thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source, like heat pumps, it might just require a top up to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Plimmerton

Every living space of a rental property must have at least one opening window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

The ventilation quality is all about recognising how dry air will be less difficult to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open to the outside and remain set in an opening position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your property with shower, bath and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Find out all the details about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Plimmerton

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation meets the new quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

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

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all part 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Plimmerton Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s often not apparent that it could become a major issue and cause the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from rising into the property. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Plimmerton

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Plimmerton include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Plimmerton for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to be able to examine during the house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice, call today to book your rental properties house assessment.