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? Landlords must make sure their Miramar rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely 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 evaluate your rental property to 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 required. needs to be done and offer an assessment report that includes all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, and are completely certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Miramar rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be finished within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Miramar rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they can receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out and it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s also crucial to remember that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have a home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households homes in New Zealand and Miramar, and research suggests that rental homes tend to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who have reported four or more key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Improving the quality of Miramar rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and living because of illnesses. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Miramar

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in homes. A cold home costs more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a crack or a gap and you are able to feel it, it’s most likely a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit of the house need the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as possible.

There is no require to block holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow movement of the structure when the house warms and cools in order to let them be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will check all doors and windows during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Miramar

Miramar rental properties require a reliable source of heating which can warm the living room to at least 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to top up with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it should have a thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a central heating source, such as heat pumps, it could require some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Miramar

Every living space of the rental property should have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about acknowledging it is that dry air is easier to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable and don’t need an opening door or window.

Every window, door or Skylight requirements at least to open to the outside, but remain at an open angle in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will require proper extractor fan systems that can be vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Miramar

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required in all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation is in line with this new quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and will also make much easier to allow the household to keep the heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation is able to resist 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 area 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 this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Miramar Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is usually the things you don’t notice that could become a major issue and cause the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to be equipped with effective drainage to remove rainwater, storm water and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the structure. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Miramar

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with the Healthy Homes Standards in Miramar include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Miramar for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to check during a home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For expert guidance, contact us today and book your rental property home evaluation.