Healthy Homes Assessment Eastbourne

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work needed to be completed. needs to be completed and offer an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, as well as completely qualified to evaluate 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, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on an Eastbourne rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be completed within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be current when the tenancy agreement is signed. It is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is crucial to keep in mind that landlords who have multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are reserved for severe breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have a house evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Eastbourne, and research suggests that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than the homes of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who experience four or more key home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Improve the quality of Eastbourne rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of health issues. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower costs for maintenance 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 as Draught Stopping within Eastbourne rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Eastbourne

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside homes. A humid home will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are 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’s probably a gap or crack that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out within your house require the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as much as imaginable.

There is no require to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow movement of the structure as the household is heated and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will examine all windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Eastbourne

Eastbourne rental properties need to have a stable heating source that is able to heat the living room to at least 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it requirements to be equipped with an thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source like a heat pump, then it may need a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Eastbourne

Every living space in a rental property has to have at least one openable doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

This ventilation quality is about recognising that dry air is less difficult to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable and do not require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or Skylight needs for them to be in a position to open up to the outside and remain at an open angle to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your house that houses a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will need suitable extractor fans that vent to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Eastbourne

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation is in line with current quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and will also make it easier to the home to retain the heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and 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 the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Eastbourne Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go, and prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is often those things that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue that can cause damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between your flooring and the ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from rising into the property. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring 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 Eastbourne

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

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Eastbourne for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to look over during a house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental properties home assessment.