Healthy Homes Assessment Miramar

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The 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 renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects 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’ll advise you or your property manager of any work that needs to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re fully 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 new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Miramar rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new or renewed lease is entered into on the Miramar rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant could be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it must be updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that landlords with multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for severe violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have an home assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Miramar, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating and tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who have reported four or more key issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the standard of Miramar rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living due to diseases. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping in Miramar rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Miramar

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in homes. A draughty house will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could 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 flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole, then it is probably a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out within your home require the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t require to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement of the building when the house is heated and cools so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than securing. We will check the windows and doors as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Miramar

Rental properties in Miramar must have a fixed source of heating that is able to heat the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it must have the thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source, such as an air conditioner, it might just require a top up to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the standard as they are either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Miramar

Each living space within a rental property must have at least one openable door or window to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

The ventilation quality is all about recognising it is that dry air will be much easier to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or skylight requirements for them to be in a position open to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your home with shower, bath and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will require suitable extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Miramar

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory on all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and also makes it easier for the home to retain the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values of your area.

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 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

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically the concerns you don’t notice that can become a big problem and cause damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and the surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring 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 Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Miramar include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Miramar for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to look over during a house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For professional assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property home assessment.