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 July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Miramar rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work which requirements to be done, and offer the report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, and are completely certified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Miramar rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be finished by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It’s also crucial to note that landlords with multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have an home assessment performed for your rental property.

See the full details for the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

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

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative health results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Furthermore, people who reported four or more key housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Improve the standard of Miramar rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and living because of health issues. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping in Miramar rental properties.

Start now and call about getting a Miramar Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Miramar

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside houses. A humid house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a gap or hole that is, it is probably a gap or hole which needs sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out within the home require seals. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as much as possible.

You don’t require to block off holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow movement of the building when the household heats and cools, so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will inspect all windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for healthy houses

Heating Miramar

Rental properties in Miramar must have a fixed source of heat that can heat the main or largest living space to at least 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it must have the thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source such as a heat pump, then it might just require some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard as they are either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Miramar

Each living space within a rental property must include at least one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about acknowledging the fact that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable and therefore don’t require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or skylight requirements at least to open up to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your home with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will need appropriate extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Miramar

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory for all rent houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation is in line with the new standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and will also make an easier task to allow the house to hold the heat.

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 the insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of 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 and underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Miramar Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the inside it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is frequently what you don’t see that could be a huge problem, causing damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from rising into the building. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of this 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 by The Healthy Homes Standards in Miramar include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Miramar for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to check during a house assessment to see if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert advice, call today to schedule your rental properties home assessment.