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? The landlords are now required to make sure their Melling rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties are required to 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 will evaluate your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks which requirements to be completed and offer a report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re completely qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on a Melling rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be done by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they may be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for landlords and property managers who offer a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is who is letting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is executed, and it is updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It is crucial to be aware that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are reserved only for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have an home assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Melling, and research indicates that rental houses tend to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who experience four or more major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

The improvement in the quality of Melling rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping for Melling rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Melling

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within households. A cold house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap that is, it’s likely a crack or hole which requirements sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit of your home require the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as possible.

You don’t need to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for the movement of the structure as the household heats and cools, so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will check all windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Melling

Melling rental properties must have a fixed heating source that is able to heat the main or largest living room to at least 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to top up with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it must have an thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source, such as an air conditioner, it may require an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the quality as they are either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Melling

Each liveable space in a rental home must have at least one openable doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about recognising the fact that dried air can be much easier to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and therefore are not need an opening window or door.

Each door, window or the skylight needs to be able open to the outside, and stay set in an opening position, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home that has a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will need appropriate extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Melling

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory in all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation is in line with current standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and also makes more easy to the household to hold the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation is able to resist 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 – all area of 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Melling Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s often not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble and cause damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to remove storm water, surface water, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the building. It also helps to prevent 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

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

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Melling for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to be able to examine during the house review to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenant services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice, call now and schedule your rental properties house assessment.