Healthy Homes Assessment Pirimai

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords must make sure their Pirimai rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks which requirements to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes associated fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, we are completely certified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed contract is signed on a Pirimai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be completed inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Pirimai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they could receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be kept updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s also crucial to be aware that landlords who have multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down only for serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and ask us to conduct an home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Pirimai, and research suggests that rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and have lower quality than the houses of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who report at least four key home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Pirimai rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and living because of diseases. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs over the long term.

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

Get started now and contact us about getting a Pirimai Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Pirimai

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in households. A humid house costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole that is, it is likely a crack or hole which needs sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from the house need seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to block off gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow movement of the structure as the home warms and cools so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will test all windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for healthy houses

Heating Pirimai

Rental properties in Pirimai must have a fixed source of heat that can warm the largest or main living room to at least 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat source, it should be equipped with the thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. For most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a central heating source such as heat pumps, it might just need an update to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the quality as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Pirimai

Every living space in a rental property has to include at least one open window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about understanding how dry air will be easier to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or Skylight needs at least of opening to the outside, but remain at an open angle in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require appropriate extractor fans that are vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

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

A cozy dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Pirimai

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory to all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation meets the new standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may require to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and it will make it easier to the home to retain the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor 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

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

Pirimai Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is usually the concerns you don’t notice that could be a huge problem that can cause damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Pirimai

Rental property areas affected through Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Pirimai include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Pirimai for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to look over during an home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenant services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For expert advice, call today and book your rental property home assessment.