Healthy Homes Assessment Melling

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure that their Melling 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 completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in 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’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks which needs to be done and offer an assessment report that includes all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes associated fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, we are completely certified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Melling rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be done inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they could be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be current before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It’s also crucial to be aware that a landlord who have multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have a home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households from New Zealand and Melling, and research has shown that these rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the homes of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who experience at least four key housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Improving the standard of Melling rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of diseases. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Control for Melling rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Melling Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Melling

Draughts may lead to less temperature in homes. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it’s likely a crack or hole that requirements sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of the house need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped as much as imaginable.

There is no require to block gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement of the structure when the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Melling

Melling rental properties need to have a stable heating source that can warm the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the existing fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat source, then it must include a thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a central heating source, such as the heat pump, it might just need an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Melling

Every living space in a rental property has to have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

A ventilation quality is all about recognising how dry air is easier to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore are not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or Skylight needs to have the ability open to the outside and remain fixed in an open position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your home that has a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will need proper extractor fan systems that can be vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

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

A cozy dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Melling

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement in all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure the insulation meets this new standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and also makes an easier task to the household to keep the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of 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 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Melling Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building but you must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically the things you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from getting into the property. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Melling

The areas of rental property that are affected to the Healthy Homes Standards in Melling include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Melling for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to be able to examine when conducting a home review to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today and book your rental property house assessment.