Healthy Homes Assessment Pirimai

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure 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 completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks required. requirements to be completed, and offer an evaluation report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re fully qualified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 856 525

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Pirimai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on the Pirimai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days of being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it must be updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It’s also important to keep in mind that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given only for serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property call us now and request a home assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households rent the property in New Zealand and Pirimai, and research has shown that these rental homes tend to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who have reported at least four major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Pirimai rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of diseases. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping within Pirimai rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Pirimai

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside households. A cold home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap or crack, then it is most likely a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out from your house need the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and must be sealed 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 gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement within the building when the home warms and cools in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will check all windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for well-being homes

Heating Pirimai

Pirimai rental properties require a reliable source of heat which can warm the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if your current fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to top up with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it requirements to have the thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source, like the heat pump, it may need a top up to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard as they are either costly, not affordable to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Pirimai

Every living space in the rental property should have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about acknowledging it is that dry air will be much easier to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or skylight requirements for them to be in a position of opening to the outside, but remain at an open angle to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your property with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will require proper extractor fan systems that are vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Pirimai

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required to all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation is in line with current standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and it will make it easier for the household to retain heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

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

Pirimai Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s usually not apparent that it can become a big problem that can cause damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water is able to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Pirimai

Rental property areas affected by the Healthy Homes Standards in Pirimai include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Pirimai for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to be able to examine when conducting the house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a Tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional advice, call today to schedule your rental property home assessment.