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 now have to ensure that their Melling rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas 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 meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be done and provide a report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re 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 work have to be done inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Melling rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they could be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It should be kept updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It’s also important to keep in mind that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and request an home assessment 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

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households rent in New Zealand and Melling, and research indicates that rental houses tend to be colder, older and have less effective heating and tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who have reported four or more key house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Melling rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to diseases. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control on Melling rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Melling

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in houses. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap, then it’s most likely a gap or an opening that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of the home require seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent possible.

There is no require to block off holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for the movement of the structure when the home heats and cools, so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will test every window and door during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for healthy houses

Heating Melling

Melling rental properties must have a fixed heating source that is able to heat the living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, 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 health and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), then it must have an thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a central heating source, like the heat pump, it could require an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Melling

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one opening door or window to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about recognising how dry air will be much 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 liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable and therefore are not need an opening window or door.

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

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your house that houses shower, bath cooker or any other water-generating appliance will need appropriate extractor fans which are vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Melling

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory to all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation meets this new standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might need to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and it will make it easier to allow the home to retain the heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder part of 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Melling Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go and stop it from coming inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s often those things that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble and cause damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a location to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from entering the home. It also assists 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 with Healthy Homes Standards. 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 numerous things to check during the house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice, call today and book your rental property house assessment.