Healthy Homes Assessment Miramar

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 their Miramar rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks which needs to be done and offer a report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes relevant fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties and are completely qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Miramar rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be completed within 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days of being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It’s also crucial to note that a landlord with multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for the most serious violations, and landlords who own six or more 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 your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and ask us to conduct an home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households rent homes in New Zealand and Miramar, and research has shown that these rental homes tend to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally have lower quality than the homes of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative health results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who have reported four or more major housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Miramar rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

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

Start now and call about receiving a Miramar Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Miramar

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside households. A humid house will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the air is clear from a gap or hole that is, it is likely a crack or hole that needs sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out within your home require the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent possible.

There is no need to block off holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure when the home heats and cools, so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will test all doors and windows in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Miramar

Miramar rental properties should have a permanent source of heat that is able to heat the living space to at least 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it should have an thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source, such as heat pumps, it may need an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Miramar

Every living space of a rental property must include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about understanding how dry air will be more easy to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or Skylight needs for them to be in a position to open to the outside while remaining closed to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your home with shower, bath, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will need appropriate extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Miramar

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement on all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation is up to the new standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and will also make much easier for the house to keep heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Miramar Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s often what you don’t see that can become a big problem that can cause damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Miramar

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to the Healthy Homes Standard in Miramar include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Miramar 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 the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a Tenancy services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert advice, call today and book your rental properties home evaluation.