Healthy Homes Assessment Miramar

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords must ensure their Miramar rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks that requirements to be completed, and offer an assessment report that includes all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, and 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

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Miramar rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be completed by the end of 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 done inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they can receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It’s important to remember that landlords with several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for the most serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and arrange to have a house inspection performed on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Miramar, and research shows us that these rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who reported four or more major housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the standard of Miramar rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to health issues. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control on Miramar rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Miramar

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A draughty home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a hole or gap that is, it’s most likely a gap or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out into your home need to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as possible.

There is no require to block off gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the building when the home is heated and cools to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will examine every window and door during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Miramar

Rental properties in Miramar need to have a stable heating source which can warm the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC even on the coldest winter 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 heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if your current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it should have the thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source like a heat pump, then it could need some additional energy to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Miramar

Each living space within a rental property must have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about acknowledging the fact that dry air is less difficult to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus don’t need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or the skylight requirements at least to open to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your property with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require adequate extractor fans that vent towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A warm dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Miramar

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement on all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, as well as making more easy for the house to hold the heat.

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

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

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

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Miramar Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is often the things you don’t notice that can become a big problem and cause damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

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

An underground moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Miramar

Property rental areas that are affected through the Healthy Homes Standard in Miramar include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Miramar for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to check in the home assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a Tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today and book your rental property house evaluation.