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? Landlords now have to ensure their Melrose rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to 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 assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work which needs to be done and offer an assessment report that includes all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes associated fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re completely certified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

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Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Melrose rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be completed by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on the Melrose rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they may receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as being the person renting 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 correct before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it is updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are handed down for severe violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have an home assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Melrose, and research has shown that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Melrose rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to health issues. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Melrose

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A humid house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out into the home need the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement within the structure when the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will test all doors and windows as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for healthy homes

Heating Melrose

Melrose rental properties need to have a stable source of heating which can warm the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current permanent heater(s) are sufficient 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 those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it requirements to include an thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source, like heat pumps, it might require an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Melrose

Every living space in a rental house must contain at minimum one open doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

The ventilation standard is all about understanding the fact that dry air will be more easy to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t living spaces and therefore are not require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or skylight needs to have the ability of opening to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your house that houses shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will need appropriate extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space 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 cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Melrose

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required on all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure the insulation meets current quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and will also make much easier for the household to keep heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of the 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

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

Melrose Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go and prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is frequently not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a proper place to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed 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 prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the home. 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 Melrose

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Melrose include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Melrose for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to be able to examine when conducting the house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a Tenancy services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today to schedule your rental properties house evaluation.