Healthy Homes Assessment Miramar

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure that their Miramar rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely compliant 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 if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work which requirements to be done, and provide an evaluation report with all the necessary information 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 any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes relevant fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, as well as fully qualified to evaluate 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, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Miramar rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most 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.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be current when the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it is finished.

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

It is clear that failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with significant fines and still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and arrange to have a house evaluation performed on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households rent in New Zealand and Miramar, and research shows us that these rental homes are likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative health results, specifically for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who have reported four or more major home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Improve the quality of Miramar rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance over the long term.

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

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Miramar Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Miramar

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within homes. A humid home costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a hole or gap and you can feel it, it’s most likely a gap or crack that needs sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out of the house require to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated whenever possible.

There is no require to block gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow movement of the structure as the household is heated and cools so that they can still be closed and opened rather than securing. We will inspect the windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Miramar

Rental properties in Miramar should have a permanent heating source which can warm the living space to at least 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to top up by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it requirements to include the thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source, like the heat pump, it could require a top up to make sure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Miramar

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one opening door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

A ventilation standard is all about recognising it is that dry air is easier to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t living spaces and therefore are not require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or Skylight requirements to be able open to the outside while remaining at an open angle to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your house that houses shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will require suitable extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Miramar

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required to all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation is in line with this new quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and will also make an easier task to allow the household to hold heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 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 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Miramar Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow and prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually what you don’t see that can become a big problem and cause damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to be equipped with efficient drainage to remove rainwater, storm water and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Miramar

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

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Miramar for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to look over in the house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today to book your rental properties house evaluation.