Healthy Homes Assessment Eastbourne

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Eastbourne rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks required. requirements to be completed and offer the report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re 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

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on an Eastbourne rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be completed within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for an Eastbourne rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they may receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as being the person renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it is updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s also important to be aware that landlords who have multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and request an house inspection 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?

About 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Eastbourne, and research has shown that these rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who experience four or more major housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Improve the standard of Eastbourne rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and living because of health issues. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower maintenance costs in the long run.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Eastbourne

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside homes. A humid house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a gap or hole, then it is likely to be a gap or hole which needs sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of your house need seals. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t require to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement of the building as the household is heated and cools so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will inspect all doors and windows in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Eastbourne

Rental properties in Eastbourne need to have a stable heating source that 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 well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing 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 portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it requirements to be equipped with the thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source like the heat pump, it might require a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the quality as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Eastbourne

Every living space of a rental house must contain at minimum one open door or window to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is about recognising the fact that dry air is more easy to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable and don’t need an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or skylight needs to be able to open up to the outside and remain fixed in an open position to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your property with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will require appropriate extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

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

A warm dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Eastbourne

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory for all rent homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation is up to current quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, as well as making much easier to allow the home to hold warmth.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Eastbourne Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s often those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

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

Ground moisture barriers are usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from getting into the home. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of 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 by Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Eastbourne include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Eastbourne for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to be able to examine during a house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenant solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today to schedule your rental properties house evaluation.