Healthy Homes Assessment Miramar

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Miramar rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals are required to 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 your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks which requirements to be completed and offer an assessment report that includes all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes associated fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re completely qualified to assess both 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 tenancy is signed for a Miramar rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be taken care of within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Miramar rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they can receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is named on the lease contract as the person renting the property and it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It’s crucial to remember that landlords with several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for severe violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have an home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Miramar, and research has shown that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. In addition, people who experience four or more major issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Improving the quality of Miramar rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which results in lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping in Miramar rental properties.

Begin now by calling about getting a Miramar Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Miramar

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap that is, it’s likely to be a gap or crack that requirements sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out within your house require to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated whenever possible.

There is no need to cover up holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement of the building as the home is heated and cools to allow them to be closed and opened rather than securing. We will inspect all windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Miramar

Miramar rental properties require a reliable source of heat which can warm the living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it must be equipped with an thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source such as an air conditioner, it might require some additional energy to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Miramar

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about recognising it is that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t living spaces and therefore are not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements to be able of opening to the outside while remaining set in an opening position in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your house that houses a bath, shower and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will require adequate extractor fans that vent out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Miramar

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required for all rent homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation is up to current standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and will also make more easy for the household to keep warmth.

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

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

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

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Miramar Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the inside it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water, and also stop it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is frequently what you don’t see that can become a big problem, causing damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a place to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from getting into the property. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Miramar

Rental property areas affected to the Healthy Homes Standard in Miramar include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Miramar for Rental Properties

There are numerous things you should look for in the home review to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property house evaluation.