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 make sure that their Miramar rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully 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 assess your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks required. needs to be completed and offer the report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes relevant fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re 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, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Miramar rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It’s also crucial to note that a landlord with multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for severe violations. Those who have more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have an home inspection performed for your rental property.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Miramar, and research indicates that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating and have lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who report four or more key housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the standard of Miramar rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means less costs of maintenance over the long term.

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

Contact us now to discuss getting a Miramar Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Miramar

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in houses. A humid house costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a gap or hole that is, it’s likely a crack or hole which requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of your home require sealing. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent possible.

There is no need to block off holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for the movement of the building when the home heats and cools, in order to let them be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will examine all doors and windows in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for well-being homes

Heating Miramar

Miramar rental properties must have a fixed heating source that can warm the living area to at minimum 18degC 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 heating source needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to top up with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it must include a thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source, like the heat pump, it may need a top up in order to comply with the standards. 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.

Find the complete specifications to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Miramar

Every living space of a rental property has to have at least one opening doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about understanding that dry air is easier to heat and that a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open up to the outside and remain at an open angle to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your home with shower, bath, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Miramar

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required to all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure the insulation meets this new quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and will also make an easier task to the house to retain warmth.

Insulation requirements 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 more R-value is higher, the better 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 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Miramar Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water and stop it from coming inside. When it is about damp and water, it is usually not apparent that it could be a huge problem that can cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to have efficient drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from getting into the building. It also assists 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

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Miramar include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Miramar for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to be able to examine in a home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• 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 a Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenant solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For specialist guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental properties house evaluation.