Healthy Homes Assessment Miramar

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure their Miramar rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to check whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work which requirements to be done, and offer an evaluation report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for 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

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Miramar rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be done within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Miramar rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty up to $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed. It is updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It’s also important to be aware that a landlord with multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for severe violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a home inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Miramar, and research suggests that rental homes are likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating and are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who reported at least four major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Improve the quality of Miramar rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and living due to health issues. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping on Miramar rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Miramar

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A damp house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap or crack, then it is likely a crack or crack that requirements sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out from your home need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped whenever imaginable.

There is no require to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow movement of the building as the house is heated and cools in order to let them be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will inspect all doors and windows as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

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

Heating Miramar

Miramar rental properties need to have a stable heating source that is able to heat the main or largest living room to at least 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether your current fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must include a thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source, such as a heat pump, then it may need some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Miramar

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

It is the ventilation quality is about recognising that dried air can be easier to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or Skylight needs for them to be in a position to open up to the outside, but remain at an open angle in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your house that houses a bath, shower cooker or any other humidity-generating items will need adequate extractor fans that vent out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is an ideal house

Insulation Miramar

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory on all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is up to current standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and also makes it easier to the household to keep heat.

Insulation requirements 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 withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

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

Learn more about 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 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 is about damp and water, it is usually what you don’t see that could become a major issue and end up causing damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to remove rainwater, storm water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Check out the complete details of 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 with The Healthy Homes Standards in Miramar include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Miramar for Rental Properties

There are many things to be able to examine in the home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental properties house assessment.