Healthy Homes Assessment Melrose

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 make sure that their Melrose rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be fully conforming by the 1st 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 and determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work required. requirements to be done and provide an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’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 any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes associated fines.

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

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on a Melrose rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Melrose rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is named on the lease contract as the person letting the property out, so it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it must be updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is also crucial to keep in mind that a landlord with several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for the most serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have a house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

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 in New Zealand and Melrose, and research indicates that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. In addition, people who have reported at least four key home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Improving the quality of Melrose rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping within Melrose rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Melrose Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Melrose

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within houses. A damp house is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes, it needs to be sealed.

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 hole or gap that is, it is likely a crack or hole that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out within your home require to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as possible.

There is no require to block off holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for the movement of the building when the household warms and cools in order to let them be opened and closed rather than securing. We will inspect every window and door as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for healthy homes

Heating Melrose

Rental properties in Melrose should have a permanent source of heat that can heat the living room to at least 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it needs to be equipped with the thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a central heating source like heat pumps, it could require an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Melrose

Every living space in a rental property has to have at least one opening door or window to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation quality is all about understanding that dry air is more easy to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or Skylight needs for them to be in a position of opening to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your house that houses shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will need proper extractor fan systems which are vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Melrose

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory in all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation meets this new standard. 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 will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and also makes an easier task to allow the household to retain warmth.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of the 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Melrose Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow, and stop it from coming inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is typically what you don’t see that could become a major issue and cause damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from entering the building. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Melrose

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

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Melrose for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to check in a house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today to book your rental properties home evaluation.