Healthy Homes Assessment Eastbourne

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that their Eastbourne rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks required. requirements to be completed and offer an evaluation report with all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes related fines.

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

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on an Eastbourne rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It is crucial to be aware that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for severe violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and arrange to have an home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Eastbourne, and research indicates that rental homes are most likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the houses of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who have reported at least four key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the standard of Eastbourne rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and living due to illnesses. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control within Eastbourne rental properties.

Start now and call about receiving a Eastbourne Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Eastbourne

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in households. A cold house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole or crack, then it is likely a crack or hole that needs sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out from your house require the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as possible.

You don’t require to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement within the structure when the household heats and cools, to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will examine all doors and windows during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are important for healthy homes

Heating Eastbourne

Rental properties in Eastbourne must have a fixed source of heat which can warm the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the current installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top-up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat source, it should have a thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a central heating source such as a heat pump, then it could require a top up to make sure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Eastbourne

Each liveable space in a rental property must include at least one open door or window to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about recognising how the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable and are not require an opening window or door.

Each door, window or Skylight requirements at least of opening to the outside, and stay closed, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home that has a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will need proper extractor fan systems that vent to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is an ideal home

Insulation Eastbourne

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory for all rent homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation is up to the new quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, as well as making much easier for the home to hold the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder area 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Eastbourne Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water and stop it from coming into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s frequently those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem, causing damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Eastbourne

The areas of rental property that are affected by the Healthy Homes Standards in Eastbourne include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Eastbourne for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to look over during a house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenant solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For expert advice get in touch now and schedule your rental properties house evaluation.