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 of July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure 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 rental properties must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks needed to be completed. needs to be completed, and provide the report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation 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 healthier homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, we are completely certified to evaluate each of 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 for an Eastbourne rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be done inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on an Eastbourne rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the lease contract as the person letting the property out and it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It must be updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It is important to note that landlords with multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are handed down for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and make arrangements to have an house assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

Check out the complete details of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households in New Zealand and Eastbourne, and research suggests that rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and have lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more key housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Improving the standard of Eastbourne rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and daily life due to health issues. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance 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 Draught stopping on Eastbourne rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Eastbourne

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within homes. A damp home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a hole or gap or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or an opening that needs sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out into the home require seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped whenever possible.

There is no need to cover up gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement within the building as the household heats and cools, in order to let them be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will test every window and door in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Eastbourne

Eastbourne rental properties should have a permanent source of heating that can heat the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it should include a thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. In most houses, 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 main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as an air conditioner, it may require an update to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the quality as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Eastbourne

Every living space of a rental house must have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

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

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus are not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements at least open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your home that has a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture generating item will need adequate extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Eastbourne

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory to all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and also makes much easier for the house to retain warmth.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 underfloor 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

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the inside it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water, and prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s typically those things that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue and end up causing damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a place to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Eastbourne

Rental property areas affected through Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Eastbourne include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Eastbourne for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to be able to examine when conducting an house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenant services ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property home evaluation.