Healthy Homes Assessment Melrose

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Melrose rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks that needs to be completed, and provide the report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under 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 healthy homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, as well as fully certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Melrose rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant may be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is signed. It must be updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s important to be aware that a landlord who have multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved only for serious breaches, and landlords with 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.

If you fail to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct an home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households the property in New Zealand and Melrose, and research shows us that these rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who have reported at least four major housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Improving the standard of Melrose rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and living due to health issues. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping for Melrose rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about the Melrose Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Melrose

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in homes. A damp house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it requirements to be closed.

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 from a crack or a gap and you are able to feel it, it is probably a gap or hole which needs sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out into the house need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped as much as possible.

There is no need to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure when the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will inspect all windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Melrose

Melrose rental properties need to have a stable source of heating which can warm the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the existing fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it must have an thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source such as heat pumps, it might need an upgrade to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Melrose

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about understanding how the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or skylight requirements to have the ability open to the outside, and stay set in an opening position to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your property with a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture generating item will require appropriate extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

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

A dry and warm house is a healthy home

Insulation Melrose

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory to all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and it will make it easier to allow the home to hold heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values required for your area

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9, 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

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

Melrose Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is often the things you don’t notice that could become a major issue and cause damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water is able to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the structure. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Melrose

Rental property areas affected with The Healthy Homes Standards in Melrose include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Melrose for Rental Properties

There are many things you should look for during a home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an Tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For expert assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property house assessment.