Healthy Homes Assessment Melling

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords must ensure their Melling rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be done and offer an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes associated fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re fully certified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed contract is signed on a Melling rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be taken care of within 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the property manager does not supply the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they could be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as being the person letting the property out, so it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It is crucial to note that a landlord who have several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have a house evaluation performed for your rental property.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households in New Zealand and Melling, and research has shown that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who experience four or more key house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the standard of Melling rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and daily life because of illness. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long run.

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

Start now and call about having a 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, which completed jobs in wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or an opening that needs sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of your home need seals. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as far as imaginable.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement of the building when the house is heated and cools so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will check the windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is important for well-being homes

Heating Melling

Melling rental properties require a reliable heating source which can warm the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, then it must have an thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source like a heat pump, then it might need some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Melling

Every living space of a rental home must include at least one open doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about understanding the fact that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or Skylight requirements at least open to the outside, and stay closed to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your house that houses shower, bath cooker or any other humidity-generating items will need proper extractor fan systems which are vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Melling

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation is up to the new standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, as well as making much easier for the household to retain warmth.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Melling Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically the things you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

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

An underground moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Melling

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through The Healthy Homes Standard in Melling include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Melling for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to look over when conducting the house review to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a tenant services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today to book your rental property house assessment.