Healthy Homes Assessment Melrose

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 their Melrose rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

• Draught Stopping
• Heating
• Insulation
• Ventilation
• Moisture Ingress & Drainage

We will evaluate your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work that needs to be done, and offer the report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re fully certified to assess 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, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Melrose rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be finished inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Melrose rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they may be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It’s also important to be aware that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for the most serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have an home inspection performed on 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 important?

About 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Melrose, and research suggests that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative health results, specifically for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who reported four or more key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Improving the standard of Melrose rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and living due to diseases. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping for Melrose rental properties.

Start now and call about receiving a Melrose Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Melrose

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside homes. A humid home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a crack or a gap that is, it is likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out into your house need seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no need to block holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure as the house is heated and cools to allow them to be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will check all doors and windows in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for healthy houses

Heating Melrose

Melrose rental properties must have a fixed source of heat that can heat the main or largest living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, 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 well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it must include an thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as an air conditioner, it could need an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Melrose

Every living space of a rental property has to contain at minimum one open door or window to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about recognising the fact that dry air is much easier to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or skylight requirements at least of opening to the outside, and stay set in an opening position, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your house that houses a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will require appropriate extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. 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.

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

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Melrose

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory on all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

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

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

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

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Melrose Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go and also stop it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s typically those things that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between your floor and the ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from getting into the property. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Melrose

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Melrose for Rental Properties

There are numerous things you should look for when conducting a house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a tenant services ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For specialist guidance, contact us today and book your rental property house evaluation.