Healthy Homes Assessment Pirimai

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must ensure that their Pirimai rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to 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 evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work which needs to be completed, and offer the report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, as well as completely qualified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

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

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

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It is also crucial to be aware that landlords who own multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved only for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and request an house assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Pirimai, and research shows us that these rental homes are likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative health results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who report at least four key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Improve the quality of Pirimai rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and living due to health issues. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping on Pirimai rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Pirimai

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap, then it is probably a gap or an opening that needs sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out from the home need the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as far as possible.

You don’t require to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure as the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will test all windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Pirimai

Pirimai rental properties need to have a stable source of heating that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it must have a thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source like an air conditioner, it might need an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

See the full details on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Pirimai

Each living space within a rental property must contain at minimum one open door or window to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

It is the ventilation quality is all about acknowledging that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable and don’t need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or Skylight needs at least open to the outside and remain set in an opening position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your home that has shower, bath and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will require suitable extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. The 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.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Pirimai

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required for all rent homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation meets current standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and it will make more easy to the house to keep warmth.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation withstands 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 part 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Pirimai Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go, and also stop it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s typically what you don’t see that can become a big problem, causing damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from entering the building. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the 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

The areas of rental property that are affected by the Healthy Homes Standards in Pirimai include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Pirimai for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to check in the house assessment to see if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenant solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For professional advice, call today to book your rental property home evaluation.