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 now have to ensure that their Miramar 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 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 evaluate your rental property and determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work needed to be completed. requirements to be completed and offer an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors for rental properties, we are fully qualified to evaluate 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, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Miramar rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be taken care of within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they may be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out It could also 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 at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and must be updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is important to note that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for severe violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in large fines in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have an home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Miramar, and research has shown that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating and tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who reported at least four key home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Miramar rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to diseases. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, 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, and Draught Control 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 increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside homes. A draughty house costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole and you can feel it, it is probably a gap or hole which needs sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out within the home need the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated whenever imaginable.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow movement of the structure as the house warms and cools to allow them to be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will test the windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Miramar

Miramar rental properties should have a permanent heating source that can warm the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the existing fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source such as a heat pump, then it might just need some additional energy to make sure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Miramar

Every living space of a rental property has to have at least one opening window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation standard is all about understanding that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or Skylight needs for them to be in a position to open up to the outside and remain closed to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your home that has shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require appropriate extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

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

A warm dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Miramar

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required to all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation meets current standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, as well as making much easier to the house to hold warmth.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the 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

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside; you have to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s usually the things you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of this 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 Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Miramar include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Miramar for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to check in the house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenant solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For professional advice get in touch now and schedule your rental properties home evaluation.