Healthy Homes Assessment Miramar

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure that their Miramar rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work required. needs to be done and provide the report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re fully certified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they may receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property It could also be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It’s important to be aware that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and request a house assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Miramar, and research shows us that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four major home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

The improvement in the standard of Miramar rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long run.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Miramar

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in homes. A damp home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole or crack, then it is most likely a gap or an opening that needs sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out from your home need the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as far as imaginable.

You don’t require to block gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for the movement of the building as the home is heated and cools to allow them to be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will inspect all doors and windows as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are crucial for healthy homes

Heating Miramar

Rental properties in Miramar must have a fixed source of heat that can warm the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat source, it must include a thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like small apartments an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a central heating source, like a heat pump, then it might just need some additional energy to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Miramar

Every living space of the rental property should contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about recognising the fact that dry air will be much easier to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable and are not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or skylight requirements to be able to open up to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your home with shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will need proper extractor fan systems that can be vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Miramar

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation is up to the new standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, as well as making an easier task to the house to keep heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better 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 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Miramar Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the inside it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is frequently what you don’t see that could be a huge problem and end up causing damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the apartment 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.

The ground-moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from rising into the building. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

See the full 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 Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Miramar include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Miramar for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns you should look for during the home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenant solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert guidance, contact us today and book your rental property house assessment.