Healthy Homes Assessment Melling

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure their Melling rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 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 whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks needed to be completed. needs to be completed, and offer the report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, we are fully 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, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Melling rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be completed inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on the 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 inside of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as being the person leasing the property out which could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It is important to be aware that a landlord who own several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for severe violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and arrange to have an house assessment done for your rental property.

Check out the complete details of this law. 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 shows us that these rental houses are likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who have reported four or more major housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

The improvement in the quality of Melling rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and living due to illnesses. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping within Melling rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss having a Melling Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Melling

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in households. A cold home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or a clear draught out of a hole or gap that is, it is likely to be a gap or crack that needs sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out within your home require sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped as far as imaginable.

There is no require to cover up holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the structure when the household gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will check all windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for healthy homes

Heating Melling

Melling rental properties should have a permanent heating source that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it needs to have the thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as a heat pump, then it could need an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the standard because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Melling

Each living space within a rental property must have at least one openable door or window to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

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

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus do not require an opening door or window.

Each door, window or Skylight needs to be able to open up to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your house that houses a bath, shower, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will require appropriate extractor fans that vent out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Melling

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required on all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure the insulation meets the new quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, as well as making much easier for the home to hold heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective 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 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Melling Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the inside It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow, and stop it from coming into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s often the concerns you don’t notice that could be a huge problem, causing damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a place to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from getting into the building. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Melling

Rental property areas affected by Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Melling include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Melling for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to check during the home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today to book your rental properties home assessment.