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? Landlords must make sure that their Pirimai rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in 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 assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work which requirements to be done and provide a report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes connected fines.

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

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

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

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out and 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 executed, and it is updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It’s important to be aware that a landlord with multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are handed down for the most serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in large fines in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and arrange to have a home inspection performed for your rental property.

Find the full information on 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 homes in New Zealand and Pirimai, and research suggests that rental homes are likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than the houses of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Additionally, those who report four or more major home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Improving the standard of Pirimai rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to health issues. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping for Pirimai rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Pirimai

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside households. A damp house will cost more to heat, which results in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air entering or a clear draught from a crack or a gap, then it is most likely a gap or hole which requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out within the home need seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped as far as possible.

You don’t need to block off gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement within the building as the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will examine the windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Pirimai

Rental properties in Pirimai require a reliable source of heat which can warm the{ main or largest|| largest or main| principal or the biggest} living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the current fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat source, then it must include a thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source, like the heat pump, it might just need an update to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality as they are either costly, not affordable to run, or unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Pirimai

Each living space within the rental property should contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about recognising the fact that dry air is much easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

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

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your property with a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will require adequate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Pirimai

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required for all rent houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation is up to this new quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and also makes an easier task to allow the house to keep warmth.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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 below floor R 1.3

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

Pirimai Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and also stop it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is often what you don’t see that could be a huge problem and cause damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Pirimai

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard 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 concerns to be able to examine when conducting an house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today and book your rental property house evaluation.