Healthy Homes Assessment Melrose

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The 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 renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals 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 will evaluate your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work that needs to be completed, and provide an evaluation report with all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes connected fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, and are fully certified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on a Melrose rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be completed within 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person 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 Compliance Statement requirements to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be kept updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It is crucial to note that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for severe breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property call us now and request an house assessment done on your rental property.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Melrose, and research has shown that these rental houses are likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and tend to be lower quality than the houses of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative health results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who report at least four major housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

The improvement in the quality of Melrose rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to health issues. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping in 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 can lead to less temperature in households. A damp home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole that is, it’s likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of the house need sealing. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as imaginable.

You don’t require to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement within the building when the house warms and cools so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will examine every window and door as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Melrose

Melrose rental properties should have a permanent source of heat that can warm the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it should have a thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source, such as the heat pump, it might just need an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Melrose

Each liveable space in a rental house must contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about acknowledging it is that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus don’t need an opening door or window.

Each door, window or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open up to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your house that houses shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will require suitable extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

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

A dry and warm home is a healthy house

Insulation Melrose

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory on all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and it will make it easier to allow the household to retain the heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of the 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

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

Melrose Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is typically those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a proper place to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between your flooring and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from getting into the building. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Find out all the 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 by Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Melrose include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Melrose for Rental Properties

There are many concerns you should look for in an home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For professional advice get in touch now and schedule your rental property house assessment.