Healthy Homes Assessment Melling

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure their Melling 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 that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work which needs to be completed and provide an assessment report that includes all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes connected fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties we are completely qualified for each of 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, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Melling rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be completed inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new or renewed contract is signed on a Melling rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out, so it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It is also crucial to keep in mind that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for the most serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in large fines in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have an home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households in New Zealand and Melling, and research suggests that rental houses are likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and have lower quality than the houses of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative health results, specifically for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. In addition, people who experience at least four major issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Melling rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and living due to illness. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping on Melling rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about having a Melling Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Melling

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within households. A cold house costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from your house need seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as far as possible.

You don’t need to block gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement of the structure when the household heats and cools, so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will examine the windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for healthy houses

Heating Melling

Rental properties in Melling need to have a stable source of heat that is able to heat the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the existing fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), then it must have an thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might just need an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Melling

Every living space in the rental property should have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about acknowledging how dried air can be much easier to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus are not require an opening door or window.

Each door, window or the skylight requirements at least to open to the outside, and stay closed, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home that has a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will need proper extractor fan systems that can be vented to the outdoors. 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 high moisture areas.

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

A warm dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Melling

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and also makes much easier for the house to keep warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Melling Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is frequently those things that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem that can cause the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a place to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from rising into the property. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Melling

Rental property areas affected by The Healthy Homes Standards in Melling include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Melling for Rental Properties

There are many things to be able to examine when conducting an house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a ruling on tenancy services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to book your rental property home evaluation.