Healthy Homes Assessment Melling

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must make sure their Melling rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any 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 will assess your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work which requirements to be completed and offer the report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes associated fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, we are fully certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Melling rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be finished by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Melling rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It should be kept updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It’s also crucial to remember that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for severe breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and request an house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households from New Zealand and Melling, and research indicates that rental houses are likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes can have negative well-being results, specifically for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more major home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the quality of Melling rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and daily life due to diseases. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught stopping in Melling rental properties.

Start now and call about the Melling Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Draught Stopping Melling

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within homes. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it is probably a gap or hole that needs sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out within your home need to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as imaginable.

You don’t require to block gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will check all windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Heating Melling

Melling rental properties require a reliable source of heating that is able to heat the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to top up with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it requirements to include an thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a central heating source like an air conditioner, it may require a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Melling

Every living space of a rental house must contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about recognising the fact that dry air is much easier to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not living spaces and therefore do not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open up to the outside and remain set in an opening position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your home that has a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will need appropriate extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

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

Insulation Melling

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required to all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and will also make an easier task to the home to keep warmth.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest area 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 all of the 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

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water, and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s often what you don’t see that could be a huge problem, causing damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water is able to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and the ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Rental Property Home Assessments Melling

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

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

Home Assessments Melling for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to check in a house assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenant solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For expert assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental properties house assessment.