Healthy Homes Assessment Melling

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 ensure that their Melling rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work needed to be completed. needs to be done, and offer the report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of 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 connected fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, we are completely certified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Melling rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be finished inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on the Melling rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they may be issued 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 incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is completed, and should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s also crucial to note that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with large fines in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct a house assessment done for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households from New Zealand and Melling, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes can have negative health results, specifically for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four key house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Improving the quality of Melling rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to diseases. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping for Melling rental properties.

Begin now by calling about receiving a Melling Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Melling

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in homes. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the air is clear from a crack or a gap and you are able to feel it, it’s probably a gap or an opening that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out of the home require sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped whenever possible.

You don’t require to block up intentional holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow movement of the building when the house heats and cools, to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will check every window and door as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for well-being homes

Heating Melling

Rental properties in Melling must have a fixed heating source which can warm the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, then it must include the thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. In most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source such as a heat pump, then it could require some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Melling

Each living space within the rental property should contain at minimum one open door or window to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

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

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

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

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your home with shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need proper extractor fan systems that can be vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Melling

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required to all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure the insulation meets current quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and also makes much easier to allow the household to retain the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values required for your area

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

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

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

Melling Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s usually those things that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue that can cause damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from getting into the home. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Melling

Property rental areas that are affected to Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Melling include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Melling for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to look over when conducting the house review to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenant solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice, call today and book your rental properties home assessment.