Healthy Homes Assessment Miramar

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 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 new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks which needs to be completed, and provide a report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes associated fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, we are completely certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Miramar rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be done within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days of being informed of the request, they could be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property, so it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It is updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It’s also important to keep in mind that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are reserved for severe breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in significant fines and still being required to adhere to the regulations. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct a house inspection performed for your rental property.

Find the full information on this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households the property in New Zealand and Miramar, and research suggests that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than the homes of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four major housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Improve the standard of Miramar rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to diseases. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping within Miramar rental properties.

Start now and call about getting a Miramar Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Miramar

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside homes. A damp house will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are the most 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, then it is likely a crack or hole that needs sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out of your home require the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent possible.

There is no need to cover up gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement of the structure when the household heats and cools, in order to let them be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will test every window and door in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Miramar

Miramar rental properties need to have a stable source of heat which can warm the main or largest living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the existing installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump, then it must have a thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating systems 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 may suffice.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as a heat pump, then it might need an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the standard as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Miramar

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one opening doors or windows to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

A ventilation standard is about recognising the fact that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus are not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or skylight requirements at least to open to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will need appropriate extractor fans that vent out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is an ideal house

Insulation Miramar

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required to all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and it will make much easier to the house to keep heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

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

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

Miramar Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is often not apparent that it could become a major issue and end up causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to have effective drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a location to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Miramar

Property rental areas that are affected by Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Miramar include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Miramar for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to check during an home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenant services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental properties home assessment.