Healthy Homes Assessment Melling

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to ensure that their Melling rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work which needs to be completed and provide the report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes related fines.

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

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Melling rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Melling rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property and it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It is also important to remember that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for severe violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in large fines in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and ask us to conduct an home assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Melling, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating and tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative health results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who report at least four major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

The improvement in the quality of Melling rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and living due to illnesses. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping in Melling rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Melling

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within houses. A humid house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it’s probably a gap or hole that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out within your house require sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped whenever possible.

There is no require to cover up gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement within the building when the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will examine the windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Melling

Rental properties in Melling should have a permanent source of heating that is able to heat the living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heat needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump it must have an thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source, like heat pumps, it might require some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the standard as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Melling

Every living space of a rental home must include at least one open door or window to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about understanding that dried air can be more easy to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable and are not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position of opening to the outside while remaining closed to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your home that has a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will need suitable extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Melling

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure the insulation meets this new quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and it will make it easier to the household to retain heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 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 the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Melling Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the inside It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is often what you don’t see that could become a major issue and cause damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from entering the property. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Melling

Property rental areas that are affected through Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Melling include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Melling for Rental Properties

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

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property home evaluation.