Healthy Homes Assessment Miramar

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Miramar 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 must be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work needed to be completed. needs to be done and provide the report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties we are fully certified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Miramar rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed lease is entered into on a Miramar rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct when the tenancy agreement is signed. It must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It is crucial to be aware that a landlord who own several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in huge fines, in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct an home assessment done for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Miramar, and research indicates that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and have lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Additionally, those who report four or more major issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Improve the standard of Miramar rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and living due to illness. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping in Miramar rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss the Miramar Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Miramar

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in households. A humid home costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught out of a hole or gap or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or hole that needs sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out from the home require seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever imaginable.

You don’t need to block off holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement within the structure when the household warms and cools in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will inspect every window and door as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Miramar

Miramar rental properties must have a fixed source of heat that can warm the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat source, it requirements to include an thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source, such as heat pumps, it may require an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Miramar

Each liveable space in a rental property has to have at least one openable doors or windows to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about acknowledging that dry air is easier to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements at least of opening to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your home that has a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require appropriate extractor fans that vent to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Miramar

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation meets the new quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, as well as making more easy for the household to retain the heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Miramar Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is frequently not apparent that it could become a major issue, causing damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a place to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the building. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Miramar

The areas of rental property that are affected to Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Miramar include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Miramar for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns you should look for during an home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert advice, call today to schedule your rental properties house assessment.