Healthy Homes Assessment Miramar

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Miramar rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks which needs to be done and provide the report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors for rental properties, as well as fully certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Miramar rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be completed within 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days of being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it is updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It is also important to remember that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a home assessment performed on your rental property.

Find the full information on details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

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

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who reported four or more key home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the quality of Miramar rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and living due to illness. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which results in lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control within Miramar rental properties.

Begin now by calling about receiving a Miramar Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Miramar

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside households. A humid house costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap and you can feel it, it is probably a gap or hole that needs sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out within your home require seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as possible.

You don’t require to block gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement of the structure when the house is heated and cools to allow them to be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will check the windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for healthy homes

Heating Miramar

Miramar rental properties must have a fixed source of heating that can warm the largest or main living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the existing permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump then it must be equipped with the thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source, such as an air conditioner, it might need a top up to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the quality as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, or unsafe to operate.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Miramar

Each liveable space in a rental house must have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation quality is about recognising it is that dry air is more easy to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and therefore do not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or the skylight requirements to be able to open up to the outside and remain closed, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will need suitable extractor fans that vent out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Miramar

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement for all rent homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is up to the new quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and it will make more easy for the house to keep warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Miramar Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is often what you don’t see that could be a huge problem that can cause damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor 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 through The Healthy Homes Standard in Miramar include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Miramar for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to look over when conducting the home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a tenant services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch now and schedule your rental property home evaluation.