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 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 rentals must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work that needs to be completed and provide the report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re completely qualified to evaluate 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, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Melrose rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be completed inside of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed. It should be maintained through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It is also important to be aware that landlords who have multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are handed down for the most serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property call us now and request a house assessment done for your rental property.

Check out the complete details of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Melrose, and research shows us that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than the homes of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are associated with negative health results, specifically for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and heart diseases. In addition, people who have reported four or more key housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Improving the standard of Melrose rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to health issues. 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 Standards are a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping on Melrose rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about getting a Melrose Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Melrose

Draughts can lead to less temperature in homes. A humid house costs more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a crack or a gap and you can feel it, it’s likely a crack or hole which requirements sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out from your home need seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as much as imaginable.

There is no require to block off gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow movement of the building as the household is heated and cools so that they can still be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will test all windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

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

Heating Melrose

Rental properties in Melrose require a reliable source of heat that can heat the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the existing installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a central heating source such as an air conditioner, it could need an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the quality since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Melrose

Each liveable space in a rental home must contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about recognising that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or the skylight needs at least of opening to the outside and remain at an open angle in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your house that houses shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will require suitable extractor fans that are vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is an ideal home

Insulation Melrose

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory for all rent homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation meets the new quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness as well as making much easier to the home to keep heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all part 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Melrose Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building but you must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go and prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually not apparent that it can become a big problem that can cause the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water is able to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between floorboards and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring 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

Property rental areas that are affected by The 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 many concerns to be able to examine during a home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today to book your rental properties home assessment.