Healthy Homes Assessment Miramar

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Miramar rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully in compliance by July 1st 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 satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be completed and provide an assessment report that includes all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes connected fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re fully qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Miramar rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be finished within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be 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 necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who offer a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s important to be aware that landlords who manage several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in massive fines as well as still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and request a house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

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

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Improving the standard of Miramar rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of illness. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less maintenance costs over the long term.

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

Start now and call about the Miramar Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Miramar

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A humid house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it needs to be closed.

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 from a gap or hole that is, it’s most likely a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within your house require seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever imaginable.

There is no need to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow movement of the structure as the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will examine all doors and windows in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for well-being houses

Heating Miramar

Rental properties in Miramar must have a fixed source of heating that can warm the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the current permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to top up with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat source, it requirements to have an thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a central heating source such as the heat pump, it might require a top up to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Miramar

Every living space in a rental home must contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

The ventilation quality is all about recognising the fact that dry air is more easy to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore do not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or the skylight needs for them to be in a position open to the outside, but remain at an open angle in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will need adequate extractor fans that vent out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Miramar

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory on all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure the insulation meets the new standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and it will make more easy to the household to hold heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

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

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

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

Miramar Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and stop it from coming inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s frequently not apparent that it could become a major issue that can cause damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from getting into the building. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Miramar

The areas of rental property that are affected to the Healthy Homes Standards in Miramar include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Miramar for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to check during an home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenancy services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice get in touch now and schedule your rental property house evaluation.