Healthy Homes Assessment Melrose

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property and determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks which requirements to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes related fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, we are completely qualified for 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, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Melrose rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out and it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct when the tenancy contract is completed, and is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is important to remember that landlords with multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and arrange to have an home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Melrose, and research shows us that these rental houses tend to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally have lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who experience four or more key issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Improve the quality of Melrose rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and living due to health issues. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping for Melrose rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Melrose

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in homes. A humid house is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap that is, it is most likely a gap or hole that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within the home need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as much as imaginable.

There is no need to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement of the structure when the household is heated and cools in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will check every window and door as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Melrose

Melrose rental properties must have a fixed heating source which can warm the main or largest living room to at least 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the existing fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it requirements to have the thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source such as a heat pump, then it might just need an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

Check out the complete details for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Melrose

Every living space in the rental property should include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

A ventilation standard is about recognising it is that dry air will be less difficult to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or skylight needs for them to be in a position to open to the outside, and stay closed in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your house that houses shower, bath cooker or any other humidity-generating items will need proper extractor fan systems that are vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Melrose

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, as well as making it easier to allow the home to hold heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.

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

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Melrose Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is typically what you don’t see that can become a big problem, causing damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a place to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the home. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Melrose

Rental property areas affected to Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Melrose include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Melrose for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to look over when conducting a home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenant solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert advice, call now and schedule your rental property house evaluation.