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 July 2021? Landlords must make sure their Miramar rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are 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’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks needed to be completed. needs to be done, and provide an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re completely qualified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on a Miramar rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be finished inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Miramar rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is named on the lease contract as the person letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It is also important to note that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are given for serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with large fines in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and request a home inspection performed for your rental property.

Find the full information on this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

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

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more major home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

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

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping 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 increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside households. A damp home costs more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the air is clear from a hole or gap or crack, then it is most likely a gap or hole which requirements sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into your house need the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever possible.

You don’t need to block off holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow movement of the structure as the household is heated and cools so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will inspect all doors and windows during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Miramar

Miramar rental properties require a reliable source of heating that is able to heat the main or largest living room to at least 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 well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump then it must have a thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source, such as the heat pump, it might need an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Miramar

Each living space within the rental property should include at least one open door or window to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about acknowledging that dried air can be easier to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable and don’t require an opening door or window.

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

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home that has a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Miramar

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required on all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, as well as making it easier for the house to keep warmth.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

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

Miramar Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is often the concerns you don’t notice that could be a huge problem and end up causing damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from entering the home. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Miramar

Property rental areas that are affected to Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Miramar include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Miramar for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to check during an house assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a tenant solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property home evaluation.