Healthy Homes Assessment Eastbourne

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure their Eastbourne rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal 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 can assess your rental property and determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks which needs to be done, and offer an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes related fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re completely certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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 done inside of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the property manager does not supply the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It must be updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It is important to be aware that landlords with several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in massive fines as well as still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have a house assessment done on your rental property.

Find the full information on this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Eastbourne, and research has shown that these rental homes tend to be older, colder, have less effective heating and tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who have reported four or more major housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Enhancing the quality of Eastbourne rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and living because of illness. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught Control in 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 increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside homes. A cold house costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap and you are able to feel it, it is likely a crack or hole that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out into the house need the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as much as possible.

There is no require to block off gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement within the building when the household warms and cools so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will examine every window and door in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Eastbourne

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

The heating source needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if your current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump it should include a thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like an air conditioner, it might need an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Eastbourne

Each living space within the rental property should have at least one opening doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

A ventilation standard is all about acknowledging that dry air will be more easy to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable and are not need an opening window or door.

Each door, window or the skylight needs for them to be in a position to open up to the outside and remain closed, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home that has a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will require proper extractor fan systems that can be vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is a healthy house

Insulation Eastbourne

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required on all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and will also make much easier for the home to retain warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of the 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

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

Eastbourne Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually what you don’t see that could become a major issue, causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the structure. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Eastbourne

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with Health Homes Standard. 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 things to look over when conducting an home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an Tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental properties home assessment.