Healthy Homes Assessment Melrose

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords now have to make sure their Melrose rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely certified 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 assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work which requirements to be done and provide a report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties we are completely qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Melrose rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be finished within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it is updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It is crucial to note that landlords with several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for the most serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in massive fines as well as still being required to comply with the regulations. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and request a house assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Melrose, and research indicates that rental homes are likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally have lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who experience four or more major house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the standard of Melrose rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and living because of health issues. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping on Melrose rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about having a Melrose Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Melrose

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside homes. A damp home costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap and you are able to feel it, it’s probably a gap or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from the home need the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as possible.

You don’t require to block holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement within the structure as the home is heated and cools to allow them to be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will check every window and door in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is important for healthy homes

Heating Melrose

Rental properties in Melrose require a reliable source of heat which can warm the main or largest living room to at least 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat source, then it must have an thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source, like an air conditioner, it may require some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard because they’re costly, not affordable to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Melrose

Each living space within a rental property has to contain at minimum one open doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about understanding that dried air can be much easier to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t liveable and therefore don’t need an opening door or window.

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

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your home that has shower, bath and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will require appropriate extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

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

A dry and warm house is an ideal house

Insulation Melrose

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required on all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation is up to current quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and it will make more easy to the house to hold the heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of the 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, underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Melrose Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow and to prevent it from getting inside. 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 well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from getting into the home. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Melrose

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Melrose include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Melrose for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to check when conducting the house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice, call today to book your rental property home assessment.