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? Landlords now have to make sure that their Eastbourne rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work which needs to be completed and provide the report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re fully qualified to assess both 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 tasks need to be done within 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who offer a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as being the person renting the property It could also be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is executed, and it should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and ask us to conduct an house assessment done for your rental property.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Eastbourne, and research indicates that rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating and tend to be lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four key home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Improve the standard of Eastbourne rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and living due to diseases. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping on Eastbourne rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about getting a Eastbourne Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Eastbourne

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside households. A draughty home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap, then it is most likely a gap or crack that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out into the home need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever imaginable.

You don’t need to block off holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement of the building when the household warms and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will test the windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Eastbourne

Rental properties in Eastbourne need to have a stable source of heating that can warm the largest or main living space to at least 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it needs to have an thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source like heat pumps, it might just require an update to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Eastbourne

Each liveable space in the rental property should have at least one opening window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about recognising the fact that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t liveable and therefore do not require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or Skylight requirements to have the ability to open to the outside while remaining set in an opening position to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your home that has a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will require adequate extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

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

A cozy dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Eastbourne

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation meets the new quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and it will make it easier for the household to hold heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation resists 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 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

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

Eastbourne Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically not apparent that it could be a huge problem that can cause the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

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

Alongside an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from getting into the home. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor 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 Eastbourne

Property rental areas that are affected to the Healthy Homes Standards in Eastbourne include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Eastbourne for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to look over during an house review to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today and book your rental properties house assessment.