Healthy Homes Assessment Melrose

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to ensure that their Melrose 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 fully certified by 1 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 determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks required. requirements to be completed and offer an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under 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 healthy homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, we 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

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Melrose rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be finished by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on the Melrose rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property which could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it must be updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It’s crucial to be aware that landlords who own several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down only for serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct a house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households rent homes in New Zealand and Melrose, and research indicates that rental houses tend to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who report four or more key housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Melrose rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and living due to health issues. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping for Melrose rental properties.

Begin now by calling about getting a Melrose Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Melrose

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in households. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it’s probably a gap or crack that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out within the home need seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to block holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement within the building as the house warms and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will inspect all doors and windows in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Melrose

Rental properties in Melrose should have a permanent heating source that can heat the principal or the biggest living room to at least 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 as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the existing fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it should have a thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source, like an air conditioner, it might just require some additional energy to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard as they are either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Melrose

Every living space of a rental property must contain at minimum one open doors or windows to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about understanding the fact that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable and don’t need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or skylight needs to be able of opening to the outside, and stay set in an opening position to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your home that has shower, bath and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will require appropriate extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Melrose

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement for all rent homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and will also make an easier task for the house to retain the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the 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 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Melrose Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is frequently not apparent that it can become a big problem that can cause the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from entering the home. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Melrose

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to The Healthy Homes Standard in Melrose include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Melrose for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to check in an home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental properties house evaluation.