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

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks which requirements to be done, and offer the report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes associated fines.

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

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new or renewed contract is signed on a Melrose rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Melrose rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they may receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is completed, and should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s important to be aware that a landlord with multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are given for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and make arrangements to have a house assessment done for your rental property.

See the full details for this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households rent the property in New Zealand and Melrose, and research has shown that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative health results, specifically for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. In addition, people who have reported at least four key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Enhancing the quality of Melrose rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of illness. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower 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 as Draught Stopping within Melrose rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Melrose Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Melrose

Draughts may lead to less temperature in houses. A damp house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a gap or hole that is, it is likely a crack or crack that needs sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into the house need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped whenever possible.

There is no require to cover up gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the structure when the house heats and cools, in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will inspect all doors and windows in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Melrose

Melrose rental properties require a reliable source of heating that is able to heat the living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if your current installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump it should have an thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source, such as an air conditioner, it could require an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Melrose

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

This ventilation standard is about recognising that dry air will be much easier to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t liveable and don’t require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or the skylight needs at least to open up to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home with shower, bath, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will need adequate extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

Find out all the details about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Melrose

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory in all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure the insulation meets the new quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and also makes an easier task for the home to retain warmth.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest 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

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Melrose Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually those things that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue that can cause damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the building. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Melrose

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Melrose for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to look over in an home review to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenant services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today and book your rental property home assessment.