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 renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties 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 and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks which requirements to be done, and offer the report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier 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

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

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied 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 inside of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as the one who is leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

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 through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It is also important to note that landlords who have multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for severe breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much 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 continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have an home assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Miramar, and research has shown that these rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and are of lower quality than the houses of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative health results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who reported four or more major house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

The improvement in the quality of Miramar rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of diseases. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping in Miramar rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss having a Miramar Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Miramar

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within houses. A humid home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the air is clear out of a hole or gap or crack, then it’s likely a crack or crack that needs sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out from your house need the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched whenever imaginable.

There is no need to block gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the household warms and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will examine every window and door as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Miramar

Miramar rental properties need to have a stable source of heating that is able to heat the main or largest living space to at least 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump then it must have the thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a central heating source like an air conditioner, it may need an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Miramar

Every living space of a rental home must contain at minimum one open doors or windows to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about acknowledging that dry air is much easier to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore are not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or skylight requirements to have the ability of opening to the outside and remain at an open angle, allowing the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your home with a bath, shower and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will require suitable extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Miramar

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement to all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness as well as making much easier to the house to retain heat.

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

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

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Miramar Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and stop it from coming into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s often what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water is able to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Learn more about the 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 with Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Miramar include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Miramar for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns you should look for during a home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a Tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For specialist assistance, get in touch today and book your rental properties home assessment.