Healthy Homes Assessment Eastbourne

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure 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 completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks that needs to be done, and provide a report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, we are completely certified for 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 new or renewed tenancy is signed on an Eastbourne rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be completed within 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of up to $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is signed. It must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It is crucial to keep in mind that landlords with multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved only for serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have an home evaluation performed on your rental property.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households rent from New Zealand and Eastbourne, and research has shown that these rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who have reported at least four major issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Improve the standard of Eastbourne rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and living because of diseases. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Stopping within Eastbourne rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss getting a Eastbourne Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Eastbourne

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A cold house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a gap or hole or crack, then it’s most likely a gap or crack that needs sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out into the home need to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as much as imaginable.

You don’t require to block gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement within the structure as the house heats and cools, so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will test all windows and doors as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Eastbourne

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

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like small apartments an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source like an air conditioner, it might just need a top up in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the standard because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Eastbourne

Every living space of a rental home must have at least one openable doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

The ventilation standard is all about acknowledging that dry air is less difficult to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements to be able open to the outside and remain closed to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will need proper extractor fan systems that are vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Eastbourne

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory to all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure the insulation meets current quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, as well as making more easy to the household to hold heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values 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 R-value is higher, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all part 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about this 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 it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is often what you don’t see that could be a huge problem, causing damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from entering the home. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about this 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 Standard in Eastbourne include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Eastbourne for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to check when conducting an home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a Tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch now and schedule your rental property house assessment.