Healthy Homes Assessment Eastbourne

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Eastbourne rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work which requirements to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes 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 breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes associated fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re completely certified for each of 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, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on an Eastbourne rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Eastbourne rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

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

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it is finished.

It is important to remember that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are handed down for severe breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with massive fines as well as still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have a home assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Eastbourne, and research shows us that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and have lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who reported at least four major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Eastbourne rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and living due to illness. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs 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, as well as Draught-stopping on Eastbourne rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss getting a Eastbourne Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Eastbourne

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A humid home costs more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out into the house require sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched as far as possible.

There is no need to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement of the structure as the home warms and cools so that they can still be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will examine all doors and windows in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Eastbourne

Eastbourne rental properties need to have a stable source of heat that can heat the living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it must be equipped with the thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source such as heat pumps, it might just need some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the quality because they’re costly, not affordable to run, or unsafe to operate.

See the full details on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Eastbourne

Every living space in a rental property must contain at minimum one open doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation standard is about recognising the fact that the dry atmosphere is more easy 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 hallways are not liveable and therefore are not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position of opening to the outside, and stay set in an opening position, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath cooker or any other humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems that can be vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Eastbourne

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required on all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation meets this new quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may need to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and it will make much easier to allow the home to keep warmth.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 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 and floor R 1.3
• 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.

Eastbourne 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 is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s often the concerns you don’t notice that could become a major issue and end up causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from getting into the building. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Eastbourne

Areas of rental properties that are impacted by Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Eastbourne include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Eastbourne for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to check in the home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental properties home assessment.