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 a new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work which needs to be done, and offer the report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties and are fully qualified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Miramar rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be finished by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days of being informed of the request, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it must be updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that landlords with multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and ask us to conduct an home inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Miramar, and research indicates that rental houses tend to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative health results, specifically for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Miramar rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Miramar

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in houses. A humid house costs more to heat, which results in wasting money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap, then it’s probably a gap or crack that needs sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out into your house need to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

There is no require to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement within the structure when the household gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will test the windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Miramar

Rental properties in Miramar require a reliable heating source that can warm the{ main or largest|| largest or main| principal or the biggest} living room to at least 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top-up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it must be equipped with a thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a central heating source like a heat pump, then it could require some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Miramar

Each liveable space in a rental property has to have at least one opening door or window to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

A ventilation quality is all about acknowledging how dried air can be easier to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or the skylight needs to be able to open to the outside, but remain closed, allowing the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will need suitable extractor fans that are vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A warm dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Miramar

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement in all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness as well as making more easy to allow the house to retain warmth.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation can withstand 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 – the rest part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Miramar Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside but you must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s frequently what you don’t see that could be a huge problem, causing damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between your flooring and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from rising into the home. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor 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 Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Miramar for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things you should look for during an house review to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenant solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental properties home evaluation.