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 now have to 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 rentals are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be completed and offer an evaluation report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes related fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties and are 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, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Pirimai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be finished inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed lease is entered into on the Pirimai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they may receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as being the person letting the property out which could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s crucial to remember that landlords with multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and request a home inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Pirimai, and research suggests that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and are of lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as heart diseases. In addition, people who report four or more major home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the standard of Pirimai rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living due to diseases. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught stopping within Pirimai rental properties.

Start now and call about the Pirimai Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Pirimai

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in houses. A draughty house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or hole which needs sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into the house require sealing. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched as much as possible.

There is no need to block off holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for the movement of the structure as the household heats and cools, to allow them to be opened and closed rather than securing. We will test all doors and windows in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Pirimai

Pirimai rental properties should have a permanent source of heating which can warm the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it should include the thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source such as a heat pump, then it might need a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality because they’re expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Pirimai

Each living space within a rental property must contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about understanding that dry air will be easier to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or the skylight needs for them to be in a position to open to the outside, and stay at an open angle in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your house that houses shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require proper extractor fan systems that are vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

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

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Pirimai

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory to all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure the insulation meets this new quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and will also make more easy for the household to keep warmth.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Pirimai Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the inside it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface or ground water and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s usually what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from rising into the property. 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 to Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Pirimai include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Pirimai for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to look over when conducting an house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenant services ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For expert advice get in touch today to schedule your rental properties house assessment.