Healthy Homes Assessment Melrose

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure that 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 are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property and determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be done and provide an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re fully qualified to assess 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 or renewed contract is signed on a Melrose rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be done inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is named on the lease contract as the person who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it must be updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It is crucial to be aware that landlords with multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are reserved for severe breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have an home assessment done for your rental property.

Check out the complete details of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Melrose, and research suggests that rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who report at least four major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Melrose rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and daily life due to illness. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control in Melrose rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Melrose

Draughts can lead to less temperature in houses. A cold home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it is likely a crack or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out within the home need to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as much as imaginable.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement within the building as the house heats and cools, in order to let them be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will examine every window and door as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Melrose

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

The source of heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it should be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. In most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a central heating source, such as heat pumps, it could require an update to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the quality because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Melrose

Every living space of a rental property must include at least one open window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

A ventilation standard is all about understanding the fact that dried air can be less difficult to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore don’t need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or Skylight needs to be able to open up to the outside, but remain set in an opening position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your property with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will require adequate extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Melrose

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory on all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might need to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, as well as making more easy for the house to retain the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values of your area.

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

• Zone 1 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 floor 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 water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow and stop it from coming inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s often what you don’t see that could become a major issue and cause damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have effective drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Melrose

Property rental areas that are affected by Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Melrose include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Melrose for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things you should look for in a house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For professional advice, call today to schedule your rental properties home assessment.