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? 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 renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

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

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

We will assess your rental property to check 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 about any work which requirements to be done and provide the report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, and are fully qualified to assess each of 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 brand new or renewed tenancy is signed for an Eastbourne rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

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

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

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It’s also crucial to be aware that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for severe violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and arrange to have an home assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Eastbourne, and research has shown that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating and have lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who reported at least four major housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Improve the quality of Eastbourne rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and living due to diseases. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control in Eastbourne rental properties.

Start now and call about getting a Eastbourne Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Eastbourne

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

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

What are 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 is probably a gap or hole that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit into your house need the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as far as imaginable.

There is no need to block gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement of the building when the household gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be opened and closed rather than securing. We will test all doors and windows during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Eastbourne

Rental properties in Eastbourne require a reliable source of heating that is able to heat the main or largest living room to at least 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if your current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it should include an thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like heat pumps, it might just need some additional energy to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the quality because they’re costly, not affordable to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Eastbourne

Every living space in a rental house must include at least one open door or window to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

This ventilation standard is all about recognising it is that dry air is easier to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable and don’t require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or Skylight needs for them to be in a position of opening to the outside, but remain set in an opening position, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Eastbourne

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation meets this new standard. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and will also make it easier for the home to hold the heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

• 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 - 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

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is frequently those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem and end up causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that 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 a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the building. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

See the full 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 Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Eastbourne include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Eastbourne for Rental Properties

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

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenant solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today and book your rental property home evaluation.