Healthy Homes Assessment Eastbourne

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure their Eastbourne rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order 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 tasks which requirements to be done and offer an evaluation report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes connected fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, as well as fully qualified to evaluate each of 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, once a new or renewed contract is signed on an Eastbourne rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be completed within 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out which could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is completed, and should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is also crucial to be aware that landlords who own multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct an home inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Eastbourne, and research shows us that these rental houses tend to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than the houses of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who reported at least four major issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Improving the standard of Eastbourne rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control for Eastbourne rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Eastbourne

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in houses. A humid home will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a hole or gap that is, it is probably a gap or hole that needs sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of your home need sealing. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as possible.

There is no need to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for the movement of the building as the home heats and cools, so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Eastbourne

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

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat source, it needs to include the thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source such as a heat pump, then it may need a top up to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Eastbourne

Every living space of a rental house must have at least one openable door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about recognising that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or Skylight needs to have the ability to open to the outside, and stay closed in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your home with shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will require adequate extractor fans that vent out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Eastbourne

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required for all rent houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure the insulation meets current quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and will also make much easier for the household to hold warmth.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Eastbourne Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is often the things you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must 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 place to go, and it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from getting into the home. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor 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

The areas of rental property that are affected to The Healthy Homes Standard in Eastbourne include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Eastbourne for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to check during a home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an Tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental properties home assessment.