Healthy Homes Assessment Miramar

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required 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 are required to be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work which needs to be completed and offer an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes associated fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, 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

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

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

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they may receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers providing 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 named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property, so it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It is also crucial to remember that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are reserved for severe violations. Those who have six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct a house assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Miramar, and research shows us that these rental houses tend to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more key home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the quality of Miramar rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of illness. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping on Miramar rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about getting a Miramar Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Miramar

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within houses. A humid home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap or crack, then it’s likely a crack or hole which requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out from your home need seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as much as imaginable.

You don’t need to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement of the building when the home heats and cools, so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will test the windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Miramar

Rental properties in Miramar should have a permanent source of heat that is able to heat the largest or main living room to at least 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if your current installed 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 are not considered to be safe heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, then it must have the thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, like a heat pump, then it could require an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Miramar

Each living space within a rental property has to have at least one openable door or window to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about acknowledging how dry air will be easier to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t living spaces and therefore don’t require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements at least open to the outside, and stay closed to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your house that houses shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will need adequate extractor fans that are vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Miramar

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory to all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and it will make more easy for the house to hold warmth.

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 the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Miramar Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and also stop it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s often what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between your flooring and the ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the building. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Miramar for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to check during an house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental property house assessment.