Healthy Homes Assessment Miramar

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 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 rental properties are required to be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

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

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

We can evaluate your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks that needs to be done, and provide an assessment report that includes all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under 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 healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties as well as completely certified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Miramar rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Miramar rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days of being informed of the request, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It is crucial to remember that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for the most serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have a house inspection performed on your rental property.

Get the full description of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Miramar, and research has shown that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who report four or more key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Improve the quality of Miramar rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of health issues. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught stopping in Miramar rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Miramar

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside houses. A damp house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

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 can feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap that is, it’s likely a crack or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of the house require to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever imaginable.

You don’t require to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement of the building when the house is heated and cools to allow them to be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will test all windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Miramar

Miramar rental properties need to have a stable source of heat that can heat the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the current installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top-up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat source, it should include the thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source such as an air conditioner, it might just require some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Miramar

Every living space of a rental property has to include at least one open window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about understanding how dry air is much easier to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and therefore do not need an opening door or window.

Every window, door or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open up to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your house that houses a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will require adequate extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is a healthy home

Insulation Miramar

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement on all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation is in line with the new quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and also makes an easier task to allow the house to keep heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

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

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Miramar Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is frequently what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Miramar

Property rental areas that are affected by Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Miramar include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Miramar for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to look over when conducting a home review to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a tenant solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional advice get in touch now and schedule your rental properties house evaluation.