Healthy Homes Assessment Miramar

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure 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 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 can assess the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work required. needs to be completed, and offer a report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties we are completely certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Miramar rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be current when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It is important to be aware that landlords with several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in large fines in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have an house evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households rent the property in New Zealand and Miramar, and research has shown that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating and have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. In addition, people who report four or more key issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Improving the quality of Miramar rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and living due to illnesses. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping in Miramar rental properties.

Start now and call about 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 houses. A draughty house costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap, then it’s likely to be a gap or an opening that needs sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into your house need the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent possible.

There is no require to block off holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow movement of the building when the household heats and cools, so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than securing. We will examine every window and door as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Miramar

Rental properties in Miramar must have a fixed heating source which can warm the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it requirements to include an thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source, such as the heat pump, it may need an update to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Miramar

Every living space of a rental property must have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about acknowledging how dried air can be more easy to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered living spaces and therefore don’t need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or skylight needs to have the ability of opening to the outside and remain closed in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your property with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will require appropriate extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Miramar

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required for all rent homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation meets this new standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and will also make much easier for the home to keep warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of the 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 the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s usually the concerns you don’t notice that could be a huge problem and cause damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

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

A ground moisture barrier is generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from entering the structure. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Miramar for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to check during an home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental properties house evaluation.