Healthy Homes Assessment Melrose

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 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 rentals must 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 will assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of the work required. needs to be done, and offer a report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, and are fully certified 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, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Melrose rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be finished inside of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it must be updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It is also important to remember that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given only for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in large fines in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct an home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Melrose, and research suggests that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating and tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who report four or more major issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Improving the quality of Melrose rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and living due to diseases. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

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

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Melrose Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Melrose

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in homes. A damp home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap and you are able to feel it, it is most likely a gap or hole that requirements sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from the house need seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

There is no need to block holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow movement of the structure when the house is heated and cools in order to let them be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will examine the windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Melrose

Rental properties in Melrose must have a fixed heating source which can warm the main or largest living space to at least 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it should have the thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source like an air conditioner, it could require a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard as they are either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Melrose

Each liveable space in a rental property has to contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about recognising that dried air can be more easy to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered liveable and therefore don’t require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your house that houses a bath, shower cooker or any other humidity-generating items will need proper extractor fan systems that are vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Melrose

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory to all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation is in line with the new quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may require to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness as well as making it easier to allow the house to retain warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Melrose Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water, and prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s usually the concerns you don’t notice that can become a big problem and cause damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

See the full 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 Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Melrose include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Melrose for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to check in a house assessment to see if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today and book your rental properties home assessment.