Healthy Homes Assessment Miramar

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Miramar rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas that are covered by 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 is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work needed to be completed. needs to be done, and offer the report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties we are completely qualified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

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 Miramar rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be completed by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Miramar rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they may receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as being the person letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It is crucial to be aware that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved only for serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and make arrangements to have an house inspection performed on your rental property.

See the full details for the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households from New Zealand and Miramar, and research indicates that rental houses are likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally have lower quality than the houses of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Improve the quality of Miramar rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping on Miramar rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss getting a Miramar Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Miramar

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within homes. A damp house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a crack or a gap that is, it’s likely to be a gap or hole that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out from your home need to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement of the structure when the household warms and cools to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will test the windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is important for healthy homes

Heating Miramar

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

The source of heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the existing fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), then it must be equipped with a thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a central heating source such as a heat pump, then it could need an update to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard as they are either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

See the full details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Miramar

Each liveable space in a rental house must include at least one open door or window to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about understanding that dry air will be much easier to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable and therefore do not require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or skylight requirements to be able to open to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your home with shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will require suitable extractor fans that are vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Miramar

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement to all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation meets this new standard. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness as well as making it easier to the household to retain heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 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 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Miramar Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow and prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s typically the things you don’t notice that could be a huge problem, causing damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a location to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between your floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from entering 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 Miramar

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through The Healthy Homes Standard in Miramar include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Miramar for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to be able to examine during a house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenant services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice, call now and schedule your rental property home evaluation.