Healthy Homes Assessment Eastbourne

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure 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 must be completely compliant 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 whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work which requirements to be completed and offer an assessment report that includes all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of 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 healthy homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, we are completely certified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed for an Eastbourne rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be done by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Eastbourne rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as being the person leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and is updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It is crucial to note that a landlord who own several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are handed down only for serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in large fines in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct an home assessment performed on your rental property.

See the full details for details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households from New Zealand and Eastbourne, and research suggests that rental houses tend to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and heart diseases. Additionally, those who report at least four major housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Eastbourne rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and living due to illness. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught Control within Eastbourne rental properties.

Start now and call about getting a 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 cold house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a gap or hole that is, it’s likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from your house require to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as far as possible.

You don’t require to block off gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement of the building when the house is heated and cools in order to let them be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will examine the windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Eastbourne

Rental properties in Eastbourne require a reliable heating source that can heat the main or largest living room to at least 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat source, it must be equipped with a thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source, such as heat pumps, it may need an update to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Check out the complete details on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Eastbourne

Each living space within a rental property has to have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

The ventilation quality is about recognising how dry air is more easy to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or the skylight requirements at least to open up to the outside and remain fixed in an open position in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your home that has a bath, shower, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will need appropriate extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

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

A warm dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Eastbourne

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement in all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and will also make more easy to the household to keep the heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well 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 of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Eastbourne Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go, and stop it from coming into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s frequently not apparent that it can become a big problem, causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

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

Alongside an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between floorboards and soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

See the full details of 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 to the Healthy Homes Standard in Eastbourne include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Eastbourne for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns you should look for during an home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the Tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today and book your rental properties house assessment.