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 are now required to ensure that their Melling rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in 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 requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work which needs to be completed and offer an assessment report that includes all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes related fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, and are fully qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Melling rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be finished within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Melling rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they may be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property, so it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current when the tenancy agreement is signed. It is updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It’s also crucial to be aware that landlords with multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in large fines in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Do not risk your rental property call us now and request an home assessment performed for your rental property.

Check out the complete details of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Melling, and research shows us that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than the houses of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who reported four or more major issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Improving the quality of Melling rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and living because of illnesses. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

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

Start now and call about the Melling Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Melling

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within households. A cold home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a hole or gap or crack, then it is most likely a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out from your house need the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as much as imaginable.

There is no require to block off holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement within the building when the house warms and cools in order to let them be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will examine every window and door as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Melling

Rental properties in Melling require a reliable source of heating that can heat the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The heating source needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the current fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat source, then it must have the thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, like an air conditioner, it could need some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the standard because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Melling

Each liveable space in the rental property should have at least one openable door or window to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about acknowledging that dry air is easier to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like 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, but remain closed in order 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 generating item will require suitable extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Melling

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required for all rent houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation meets the new quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and it will make an easier task to allow the household to hold warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and 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

Learn more about the 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 but you must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically those things that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble, causing the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to remove rainwater, storm water and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps in preventing 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

The areas of rental property that are affected through Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Melling include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Melling for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to be able to examine during the house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice, call today to book your rental properties home assessment.