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 of July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Miramar rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects 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. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work which requirements to be done, and offer the report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of 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 plus additional healthier homes connected fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, as well as fully certified to assess both 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 new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Miramar rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be completed inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It’s important to be aware that landlords with multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and request a house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Miramar, and research indicates that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and have lower quality than the homes of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who report four or more major home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Improving the standard of Miramar rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and living because of diseases. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping in Miramar rental properties.

Start now and call about receiving a Miramar Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Miramar

Draughts may lead to less temperature in households. A draughty house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a hole or gap that is, it is likely to be a gap or crack that needs sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out from the house require seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched whenever imaginable.

You don’t require to cover up gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow movement of the building when the house is heated and cools to allow them to be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will examine all doors and windows as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for well-being homes

Heating Miramar

Miramar rental properties require a reliable source of heating which can warm the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to top up with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump then it must have an thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a central heating source such as the heat pump, it might just require a top up to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the quality as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Check out the complete details to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Miramar

Every living space of a rental property must have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about understanding that dry air will be more easy to heat and a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable and therefore don’t require an opening window or door.

Each window, door or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position open to the outside while remaining at an open angle in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your house that houses shower, bath cooker or any other moisture-producing item will require proper extractor fan systems that vent to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A dry and warm home is an ideal house

Insulation Miramar

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory for all rent houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation is in line with this new quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

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

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Miramar Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s usually what you don’t see that could be a huge problem and end up causing damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a location to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from getting into the structure. 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

Rental property areas affected through Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Miramar include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Miramar for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to check in the home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require 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 enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today and book your rental property house assessment.