Healthy Homes Assessment Melrose

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that their Melrose rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work which needs to be done, and offer the report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach 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 in addition to any healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors for rental properties, we are completely qualified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Melrose rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be done within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Melrose rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant could be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty approximately $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it is finished.

It is crucial to note that a landlord who own several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are given for the most serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct an home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Melrose, and research has shown that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating and tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative health outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. In addition, people who have reported at least four major issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Enhancing the standard of Melrose rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of diseases. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping for Melrose rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss getting a Melrose Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Melrose

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in houses. A humid house costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap, then it is likely a crack or an opening that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out of your home need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t require to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow movement of the building when the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will test every window and door during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Melrose

Rental properties in Melrose should have a permanent heating source that can heat the living area to at minimum 18degC even on 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 outlook.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), then it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source like heat pumps, it might just need a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Melrose

Each liveable space in a rental property has to have at least one opening doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about acknowledging how the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable and are not require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position open to the outside, and stay at an open angle to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your home with shower, bath cooker or any other humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems that are vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Melrose

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement in all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation is in line with the new quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might require to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, as well as making more easy to the household to retain heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values required for 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 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 and underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Melrose Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and stop it from coming into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s typically not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble, causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between the floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from rising into the structure. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Find out all the details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Melrose

The areas of rental property that are affected to The Healthy Homes Standard in Melrose include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Melrose for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns you should look for in a house assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a Tenancy services ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental properties home assessment.