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 make sure 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 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 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 work that needs to be completed and provide a report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors for rental properties, and are completely qualified to evaluate both 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 Melrose rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be done within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Melrose rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be current when the tenancy contract is executed, and it should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It is important to keep in mind that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have an home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households rent homes in New Zealand and Melrose, and research shows us that these rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the houses of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who report at least four major home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Improve the quality of Melrose rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and living due to illnesses. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping on Melrose rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Melrose

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in homes. A humid home will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a crack or a gap or crack, then it’s probably a gap or crack that needs sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into the home require the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

There is no require to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement within the building as the home heats and cools, to allow them to be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will inspect all windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for well-being houses

Heating Melrose

Rental properties in Melrose need to have a stable source of heating that can heat the living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements 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 room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), then it must include an thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like small apartments an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as an air conditioner, it might need a top up to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Melrose

Each liveable space in a rental property must include at least one open door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about acknowledging how dry air will be more easy to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or Skylight needs to be able open to the outside, but remain at an open angle, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will need proper extractor fan systems that can be vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Melrose

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required for all rent homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation meets current quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and will also make it easier to the house to hold heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Melrose Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s frequently those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to remove rainwater, storm water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a location to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Melrose

Property rental areas that are affected through the Healthy Homes Standard in Melrose include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Melrose for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to be able to examine when conducting the home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today to book your rental properties home evaluation.