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 July 2021? Landlords must make sure their Eastbourne rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work that requirements to be completed, and offer a report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under 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 related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors for rental properties, as well as 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, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for an Eastbourne rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be finished within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on the Eastbourne rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as being the person who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct when the tenancy agreement is completed, and must be updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It’s crucial to remember that landlords who own several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are given for the most serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct a house evaluation performed for your rental property.

Get the full description of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households in New Zealand and Eastbourne, and research has shown that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than the houses of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative health results, specifically for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who report at least four key home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Improving the quality of Eastbourne rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control within Eastbourne rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Eastbourne

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in households. A draughty home costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap, then it is likely a crack or hole which needs sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out within the home need the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated as far as possible.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow movement of the structure when the household warms and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will inspect the windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for well-being houses

Heating Eastbourne

Rental properties in Eastbourne should have a permanent source of heating that can heat the living space to at least 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the current fixed 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 portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump it must be equipped with a thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source, such as an air conditioner, it might just need an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Eastbourne

Each living space within the rental property should have at least one opening window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about understanding it is that dry air is much easier to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not living spaces and therefore are not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or skylight requirements to have the ability of opening to the outside while remaining at an open angle to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your property with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will require suitable extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

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

A cozy dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Eastbourne

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required in all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure the insulation meets this new quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and it will make much easier to the household to retain warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation withstands 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 the 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 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Eastbourne Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow and stop it from coming into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually what you don’t see that could be a huge problem that can cause the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the home. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor 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 with the 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 variety of things to check during a house review to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including 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 a ruling on tenancy services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional advice get in touch today to book your rental property house assessment.