Healthy Homes Assessment Miramar

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords must make sure that their Miramar rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

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

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes related fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, as well as fully certified to assess each of 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, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Miramar rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be finished inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out, so it 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 current at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who have several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are reserved for the most serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a home evaluation performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three 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 effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who report at least four major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

The improvement in the quality of Miramar rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and living due to diseases. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping for Miramar rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Miramar Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Miramar

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside households. A humid house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap that is, it is likely to be a gap or hole that needs sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out of your house require sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever imaginable.

There is no require to cover up gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement within the building as the household heats and cools, in order to let them be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will test all windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Miramar

Miramar rental properties need to have a stable source of heating which can warm the main or largest living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether your current installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to top up with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it should include an thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a central heating source, like heat pumps, it may require some additional energy to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Miramar

Each living space within a rental property has to have at least one opening doors or windows to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation standard is about recognising it is that dry air will be much easier to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable and don’t need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your property with a bath, shower cooker or any other water-generating appliance will require adequate extractor fans that vent towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

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

A warm dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Miramar

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation is in line with current standard. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and it will make more easy to allow the home to hold the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

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

Learn more about 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 interior of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow and to prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s often those things that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue and end up causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s well-being.

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

Alongside an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the structure. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Miramar

Rental property areas affected through Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Miramar include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Miramar for Rental Properties

There are many concerns you should look for when conducting the home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenant solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today to schedule your rental properties home assessment.