Healthy Homes Assessment Miramar

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Miramar rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must 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 to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks that needs to be completed and offer an assessment report that includes all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes connected fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, as well as fully certified to assess each of 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 new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Miramar rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be completed within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Miramar rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

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

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct when the tenancy agreement is completed, and must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It’s also important to keep in mind that a landlord with multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and arrange to have an house assessment performed for your rental property.

Check out the complete details of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households homes in New Zealand and Miramar, and research has shown that these rental homes tend to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the homes of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. In addition, people who reported four or more major issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improving the standard of Miramar rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of illness. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control within 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 can lead to lower temperatures in houses. A humid home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a gap or hole and you can feel it, it’s likely a crack or an opening that requirements sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out into the house need seals. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as far as possible.

You don’t require to block off gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement within the building as the house warms and cools in order to let them be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will check all doors and windows as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for well-being homes

Heating Miramar

Miramar rental properties should have a permanent heating source that can warm the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether your current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump then it must be equipped with the thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source such as the heat pump, it may require an upgrade to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality because they’re costly, not affordable to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Miramar

Every living space of a rental property must include at least one open door or window to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about acknowledging the fact that dry air will be more easy to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable and do not require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or skylight needs for them to be in a position to open up to the outside and remain set in an opening position in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your home that has a bath, shower and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans that vent to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Miramar

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required in all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure the insulation meets the new quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and also makes an easier task to allow the home to keep warmth.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values for your area

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and 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, underfloor R 1.3

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

Miramar Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is often what you don’t see that can become a big problem that can cause damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and the ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Find out all the details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Miramar

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to The Healthy Homes Standard in Miramar include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Miramar for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to check in a house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenant services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today and book your rental property home evaluation.