Healthy Homes Assessment Pirimai

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Pirimai rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property and determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about any work needed to be completed. requirements to be completed, and offer the report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re completely certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Pirimai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they can receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as being the person renting the property, so it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it is updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It is important to remember that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are given for severe violations. Those who have six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and request a home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households from New Zealand and Pirimai, and research suggests that rental houses are likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than the homes of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. In addition, people who report at least four key issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Improve the standard of Pirimai rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and living due to diseases. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping on Pirimai rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Pirimai

Draughts may lead to less temperature in households. A draughty home costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole or crack, then it’s most likely a gap or hole which needs sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into your home need sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement within the structure when the house heats and cools, to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will check all windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Pirimai

Rental properties in Pirimai need to have a stable source of heat that is able to heat the main or largest living space to at least 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the current fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to top up by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it requirements to include an thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a central heating source like a heat pump, then it could require a top up to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Pirimai

Every living space of a rental property must have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about understanding it is that dried air can be less difficult to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus don’t need an opening window or door.

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

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your property with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems that can be vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

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

A cozy dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Pirimai

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement to all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might need to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and will also make an easier task for the household to hold heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

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

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and stop it from coming inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s frequently what you don’t see that could be a huge problem, causing damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between floorboards and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the property. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

See the full details of 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 with Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Pirimai include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Pirimai for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to be able to examine when conducting the house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a Tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For expert assistance, get in touch today to book your rental property house evaluation.