Healthy Homes Assessment Miramar

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords now have to make sure 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 in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks which needs to be completed, and provide a report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes associated fines.

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

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Miramar rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be done inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Miramar rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the property manager does not supply the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed. It should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It’s important to note that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct an home evaluation 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?

One in three households rent homes in New Zealand and Miramar, and research suggests that rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who report four or more major issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Miramar rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and living because of illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long run.

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

Contact us now to discuss getting 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 households. A damp home costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a crack or a gap and you can feel it, it’s most likely a gap or crack that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit from the home require sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as possible.

There is no require to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement of the structure as the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Miramar

Miramar rental properties should have a permanent source of heating that is able to heat the main or largest living room to at least 18degC, even on 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 heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the current fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to top up with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it should be equipped with the thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source such as a heat pump, then it may require some additional energy to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Miramar

Every living space of the rental property should contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about recognising the fact that dry air will be easier to heat and the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or Skylight requirements to be able to open up to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your home that has a bath, shower cooker or any other water-generating appliance will need appropriate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Miramar

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory in all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation meets this new quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and will also make it easier to allow the home to retain heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest part 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, underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Miramar Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the inside It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface or ground water and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s often those things that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue and end up causing damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor 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

The areas of rental property that are affected through Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Miramar include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Miramar for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things you should look for when conducting a house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional advice, call now and schedule your rental properties house assessment.