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? Landlords now have to ensure that their Eastbourne rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas 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 standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about the work needed to be completed. requirements to be completed, and offer the report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties as well as fully qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on an Eastbourne rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be done by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the property manager is unable to provide the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant can be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is letting the property out, so it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It is also crucial to remember that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in significant fines and still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have an home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households rent in New Zealand and Eastbourne, and research has shown that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. In addition, people who report at least four key home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Improve the standard of Eastbourne rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to illness. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping in Eastbourne rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Eastbourne Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Eastbourne

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside households. A cold home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a gap or hole or crack, then it is probably a gap or hole which needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out into the house require to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped whenever imaginable.

You don’t require to block up intentional gaps or holes 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 house gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will test all windows and doors in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Eastbourne

Eastbourne rental properties need to have a stable source of heat which can warm the living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, 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 heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the current installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat source, it requirements to have an thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source like the heat pump, it might require an update to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

Check out the complete details for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Eastbourne

Each liveable space in a rental property has to have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about understanding it is that dry air will be less difficult to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t living spaces and therefore are not require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or skylight needs to be able to open to the outside, but remain at an open angle, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your home that has shower, bath cooker or any other humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

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

A dry and warm home is an ideal house

Insulation Eastbourne

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory in all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation is up to current quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and also makes it easier to allow the house to retain the heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 underfloor 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

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

Eastbourne Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water and prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is often not apparent that it can become a big problem that can cause damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from entering the property. It also helps to prevent 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

Property rental areas that are affected through Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Eastbourne include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Eastbourne for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to look over during the house review to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a tenant solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today to book your rental properties home evaluation.