Healthy Homes Assessment Melling

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Melling rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully certified 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 determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks which requirements to be done and offer an evaluation report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re completely certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6791

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Melling rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be done within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new or renewed lease is entered into on a Melling rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they can receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of up to $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as being the person leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate when the tenancy contract is completed, and is updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It is also important to remember that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for severe violations. Those who have more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in large fines in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct a home inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households from New Zealand and Melling, and research has shown that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than the homes of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who report four or more key home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

The improvement in the quality of Melling rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and living because of health issues. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping on Melling rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about the Melling Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Melling

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in households. A draughty home costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the air is clear from a gap or hole, then it is likely to be a gap or an opening that needs sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out of your home require to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as much as possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for the movement of the building when the household gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will examine every window and door in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Melling

Rental properties in Melling must have a fixed source of heat that is able to heat the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to top up by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it should be equipped with the thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source, like heat pumps, it might need an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Melling

Each living space within a rental property must include at least one open door or window to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about understanding the fact that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not living spaces and therefore are not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or Skylight requirements to be able to open to the outside, but remain at an open angle to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will need suitable extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Melling

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory in all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation is in line with the new quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and will also make an easier task to allow the home to retain warmth.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the 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, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

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

Melling Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water and prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is often those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem and end up causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between your flooring and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from rising into the property. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Melling

Rental property areas affected through The Healthy Homes Standards in Melling include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Melling for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns you should look for when conducting an house review to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental property house assessment.