Healthy Homes Assessment Melrose

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must make sure that their Melrose rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely conforming by the 1st 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 whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work required. needs to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, and are fully qualified 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, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Melrose rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be taken care of within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Melrose rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It’s important to note that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are handed down for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct an house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description 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 from New Zealand and Melrose, and research shows us that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally have lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who experience four or more major issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Improving the standard of Melrose rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to illness. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping within Melrose rental properties.

Start now and call about getting a Melrose Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Melrose

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside homes. A draughty home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole and you can feel it, it’s likely a crack or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out of the home require sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as far as possible.

You don’t need to block gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement within the structure as the household warms and cools in order to let them be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect every window and door as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are important for well-being homes

Heating Melrose

Rental properties in Melrose require a reliable source of heat that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 horsepower in 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 determine whether the current installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it requirements to include the thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as an air conditioner, it might require an update to ensure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Melrose

Each living space within a rental property must have at least one opening window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about acknowledging how the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable and are not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position open to the outside, and stay closed, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your property with shower, bath and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will require appropriate extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is an ideal home

Insulation Melrose

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure the insulation meets this new standard. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and will also make it easier to the home to retain the heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest part 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Melrose Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water and prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually not apparent that it can become a big problem that can cause damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from getting into the home. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Melrose

Rental property areas affected by the Healthy Homes Standards in Melrose include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Melrose for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to look over in the house review to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today to book your rental property house evaluation.