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 ensure 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 rental properties are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are 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 whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work which requirements to be completed, and provide the report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes associated fines.

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, we are completely certified 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, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Pirimai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Pirimai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant may be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It is also crucial to be aware that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are reserved for severe breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have a house assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Pirimai, and research indicates that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally have lower quality than the houses of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative health results, specifically for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. In addition, people who experience at least four major house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Improving the quality of Pirimai rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and living due to diseases. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are 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 receiving a Pirimai Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Pirimai

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within households. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or a clear draught from a gap or hole that is, it’s likely a crack or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out into the home need the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever imaginable.

There is no require to block off gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement of the structure when the home warms and cools in order to let them be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will test all windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Pirimai

Rental properties in Pirimai need to have a stable source of heating that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on 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 needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine 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, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat source, it requirements to include the thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. In most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source, such as an air conditioner, it might need an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard because they’re costly, not affordable to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Pirimai

Each liveable space in the rental property should contain at minimum one open doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation standard is about recognising it is that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore are not require an opening window or door.

Each door, window or the skylight requirements to have the ability to open to the outside, and stay set in an opening position to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your property with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will require suitable extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Pirimai

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory for all rent homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure the insulation meets the new standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and it will make more easy to allow the household to keep the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

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

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

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Pirimai Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water is able to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from rising into the home. It also assists in preventing 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 to the Healthy Homes Standard in Pirimai include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Pirimai for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to be able to examine when conducting an house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property house evaluation.