Healthy Homes Assessment Melling

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? Landlords are now required to make sure their Melling rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully in compliance by July 1st 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 satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks that requirements to be completed and offer an assessment report that includes all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under 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 in addition to any healthier homes connected fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, as well as fully certified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6791

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Melling rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be done by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out which could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and is updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s also crucial to remember that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct an home inspection performed on your rental property.

Find the full information on the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households rent homes in New Zealand and Melling, and research shows us that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the homes of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who experience at least four major issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

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

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping within Melling rental properties.

Start now and call about receiving 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 cold home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap or crack, then it is probably a gap or crack that needs sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out of the house require to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched whenever imaginable.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement within the structure as the home heats and cools, so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will test all doors and windows in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Melling

Melling rental properties require a reliable heating source that is able to heat the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if your current permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to top up with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it needs to have the thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source like an air conditioner, it may need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the standard because they’re costly, not affordable to run, or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Melling

Every living space in the rental property should have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about recognising it is that dry air is less difficult to heat and the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or skylight requirements at least of opening to the outside while remaining at an open angle in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your house that houses a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

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

A dry and warm house is a healthy house

Insulation Melling

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required to all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness as well as making an easier task to the household to keep the heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder part 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Melling Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water, and stop it from coming into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is usually the things you don’t notice that could be a huge problem and cause the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a place to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if 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 present in the ground from getting into the home. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Melling

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Melling include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Melling for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to be able to examine in the house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the Tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property home evaluation.