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 July 2021? Landlords must ensure that their Melling rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely conforming by the 1st July 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’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks required. requirements to be completed and provide an evaluation report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, we are fully certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6791

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Melling rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Melling rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance 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 renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be current when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it is updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It is crucial to be aware that a landlord who own multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are reserved for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have a house inspection performed on your rental property.

See the full details for the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Melling, and research suggests that rental houses are likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who experience at least four major home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Improve the standard of Melling rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and daily life because of diseases. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping within Melling rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Melling

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within households. A draughty house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a crack or a gap that is, it’s likely a crack or an opening that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out from the house require the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent possible.

There is no need to block off gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement of the structure when the home warms and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will check the windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Melling

Rental properties in Melling require a reliable source of heat that can warm the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the existing fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump, then it must have the thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like small apartments an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source, such as the heat pump, it might require an update in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Melling

Each liveable space in a rental property has to have at least one opening doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

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

Bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus do not need an opening window or door.

Every window, door or Skylight requirements to be able to open up to the outside, and stay at an open angle to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your house that houses shower, bath, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will need adequate extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

Find out all the details about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is an ideal house

Insulation Melling

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement in all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure the insulation meets the new standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and will also make more easy to allow the household to keep heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Melling Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s usually those things that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water is able to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

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

Ground moisture barriers are typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from entering the property. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor 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 Melling

Rental property areas affected with The Healthy Homes Standard in Melling include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Melling for Rental Properties

There are many things to check when conducting a home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenant services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional advice, call today to book your rental properties house assessment.