Healthy Homes Assessment Melrose

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that 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 a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to 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 evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work which needs to be completed and offer an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, and are completely certified to assess 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 or renewed tenancy is signed on a Melrose rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be completed by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is also crucial to remember that landlords who have several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved only for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with significant fines and still being required to adhere to the regulations. Do not risk your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct an house evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

Check out the complete details of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

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

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative health results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more key house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Melrose rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and living due to illnesses. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught stopping for Melrose rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Melrose Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Melrose

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in homes. A damp home costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap or crack, then it is most likely a gap or hole that needs sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from the home need to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent possible.

There is no need to cover up holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the house heats and cools, to allow them to be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will check the windows and doors as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for well-being homes

Heating Melrose

Rental properties in Melrose must have a fixed source of heating that can heat the largest or main living room to at least 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if your current permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top-up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it requirements to have the thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like the heat pump, it might need some additional energy to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Melrose

Each liveable space in the rental property should have at least one opening door or window to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

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

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

Each window, door or skylight needs to be able to open to the outside while remaining at an open angle, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your house that houses shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will need suitable extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Melrose

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation meets this new quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness as well as making an easier task to allow the home to keep warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor 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 the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Melrose Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the inside but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water, and stop it from coming inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is usually not apparent that it could be a huge problem and end up causing damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a place to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from rising into the building. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Melrose

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Melrose for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to look over when conducting a home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice, call today to schedule your rental properties home assessment.