Healthy Homes Assessment Melrose

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to ensure that their Melrose rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a 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 to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be done, and provide an assessment report that includes all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re fully certified for each of 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 contract is signed on a Melrose rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be completed within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Melrose rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current when the tenancy contract is executed, and it should be maintained through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s also important to remember that landlords with several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for the most serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and arrange to have an home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households rent the property in New Zealand and Melrose, and research has shown that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than the houses of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who reported at least four major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the quality of Melrose rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of diseases. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping for 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 are a major cause of dropping temperatures within homes. A humid home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole or crack, then it’s likely a crack or hole that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into the home require sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

There is no require to block up intentional holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow movement of the building as the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will test all doors and windows in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for healthy homes

Heating Melrose

Rental properties in Melrose should have a permanent heating source that can heat the main or largest living room to at least 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if your current fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top-up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it must be equipped with a thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. For most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a central heating source, like the heat pump, it might require some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the quality since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Melrose

Each liveable space in a rental property has to include at least one open doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation standard is all about acknowledging how the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t liveable and do not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or Skylight needs to have the ability to open up to the outside while remaining closed, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your property with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is a healthy home

Insulation Melrose

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required in all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation is in line with the new quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and it will make it easier to allow the home to retain the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of the 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 (underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Melrose Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is typically what you don’t see that can become a big problem, causing the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s health.

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

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between your flooring and the soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps to prevent 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 Melrose

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Melrose include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Melrose for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to be able to examine in the home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with 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 professional advice get in touch today to schedule your rental properties house evaluation.