Healthy Homes Assessment Pirimai

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Pirimai 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 compliant by 1 July 2024.

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

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

We will assess your rental property and determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks which needs to be done, and provide a report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of 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 as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re fully qualified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Pirimai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be done within 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they could receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct when the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It is also important to remember that landlords who manage several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved only for serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and ask us to conduct an house assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

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

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who experience four or more key housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Improve the quality of Pirimai rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and living due to illnesses. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means 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 Stopping for Pirimai rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Pirimai

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within households. A damp home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a hole or gap or crack, then it is probably a gap or crack that requirements sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out into your home need seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

There is no need to block gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement within the structure when the house warms and cools so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than securing. We will inspect all windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for healthy homes

Heating Pirimai

Pirimai rental properties must have a fixed source of heat that can heat the main or largest living space to at least 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 Kilowatts 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 if the existing fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must include the thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a central heating source like the heat pump, it might require an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Pirimai

Each living space within the rental property should include at least one open window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is about recognising how the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus are not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or the skylight requirements to be able to open to the outside while remaining set in an opening position to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your home with a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture generating item will require suitable extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Pirimai

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required on all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation meets the new quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and will also make it easier for the home to keep warmth.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the 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 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Pirimai Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building it’s also about the outside. 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 damp and moisture, it is usually those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem and cause damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to remove storm water, surface water and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from rising into the property. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Pirimai

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

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Pirimai for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to be able to examine when conducting the home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

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

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental property house evaluation.