Healthy Homes Assessment Melrose

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must ensure that their Melrose rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks that needs to be completed, and provide the report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, we are completely qualified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Melrose rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be done by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Melrose rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property and it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it must be updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It is also important to be aware that a landlord who have several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are handed down only for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and request an home evaluation performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Melrose, and research has shown that these rental houses tend to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than the houses of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who report four or more key issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the standard of Melrose rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and living due to diseases. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Control on Melrose rental properties.

Begin now by calling about receiving a Melrose Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Melrose

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in households. A draughty home costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap, then it is probably a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out within the home need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent possible.

There is no need to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement of the building as the house heats and cools, to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will examine every window and door in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Melrose

Rental properties in Melrose must have a fixed heating source which can warm the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the current installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to top up by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), then it must include a thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a central heating source, like the heat pump, it might just need an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, or unsafe to operate.

See the full details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Melrose

Every living space in the rental property should have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about acknowledging it is that dry air will be less difficult to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or Skylight requirements at least of opening to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your property with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will need appropriate extractor fans which are vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Melrose

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement on all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation meets current quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might need to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and will also make an easier task for the house to hold warmth.

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

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

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

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Melrose Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is frequently what you don’t see that can become a big problem and cause damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water is able to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Melrose

The areas of rental property that are affected by The Healthy Homes Standards in Melrose include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Melrose for Rental Properties

There are many things to look over during the home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenant solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today to book your rental property home assessment.