Healthy Homes Assessment Pirimai

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure that their Pirimai 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 completely 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 can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks required. requirements to be completed and offer the report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties and are completely qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

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 for a Pirimai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be done by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Pirimai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days of being informed of 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 who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it must be updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It is crucial to be aware that landlords who manage multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have a home evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households from New Zealand and Pirimai, and research shows us that these rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating and tend to be lower quality than the houses of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who reported at least four major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the standard of Pirimai rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of diseases. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long run.

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

Contact us now to discuss having a Pirimai Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Pirimai

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A cold home is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap that is, it is most likely a gap or hole which needs sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit within the house require to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped whenever imaginable.

There is no require to block gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow movement of the building when the home gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will test all windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Pirimai

Pirimai rental properties need to have a stable heating source that can warm the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to top up by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must be equipped with the thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source like a heat pump, then it might just need some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Pirimai

Each liveable space in a rental property has to include at least one open door or window to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

A ventilation quality is all about understanding that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

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

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your home that has shower, bath cooker or any other humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems that vent to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable 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 comfortable, dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Pirimai

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required for all rent homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation meets this new quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might need to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness as well as making an easier task to the household to hold the heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest 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, underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Pirimai Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move and also stop it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s typically what you don’t see that can become a big problem and end up causing the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to remove storm water, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from rising into the structure. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Pirimai

Property rental areas that are affected through The Healthy Homes Standard in Pirimai include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Pirimai for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to be able to examine when conducting a house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenant services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today to book your rental property house evaluation.