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 of July 2021? Landlords are now required 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 rental properties must be completely 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 assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks that needs to be done, and provide the report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes relevant fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties and are fully certified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Melling rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be completed inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new or renewed lease is entered into on the Melling rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they will receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

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

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

It’s also crucial to remember that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are given for severe violations. Those who have more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct an house assessment performed for your rental property.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households rent in New Zealand and Melling, and research indicates that rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who have reported four or more major issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improving the quality of Melling rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and living because of illness. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping in Melling rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Melling Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Melling

Draughts may lead to less temperature in homes. A cold house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a hole or gap that is, it’s likely a crack or hole that requirements sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out into the house need seals. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched as much as imaginable.

There is no need to block gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for the movement of the building when the household is heated and cools to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will inspect the windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Melling

Melling rental properties should have a permanent heating source that can warm the living space to at least 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must include an thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source such as a heat pump, then it could need an update to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Melling

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one opening door or window to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about recognising the fact that dried air can be more easy to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or skylight needs to be able to open to the outside and remain set in an opening position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your home that has a bath, shower and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will need appropriate extractor fans that vent to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Melling

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement in all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation is up to this new quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and will also make more easy to the household to keep the heat.

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 higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Melling Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building 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 those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem that can cause damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and 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 prevent moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from getting into the structure. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Melling

Rental property areas affected with the Healthy Homes Standard in Melling include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Melling for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to be able to examine in the home review to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional advice get in touch now and schedule your rental properties home assessment.