Healthy Homes Assessment Eastbourne

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords must make sure their Eastbourne rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must 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 evaluate your rental property to check whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work needed to be completed. needs to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, and are completely certified for both 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, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on an Eastbourne rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be taken care of within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on the Eastbourne rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it must be updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It’s also crucial to remember that landlords who have multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for severe violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have a house assessment done on your rental property.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households rent homes in New Zealand and Eastbourne, and research suggests that rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who report at least four major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Improve the standard of Eastbourne rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Eastbourne

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in houses. A damp home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole that is, it’s most likely a gap or hole that needs sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out within your home require seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped whenever possible.

You don’t need to block off gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for the movement of the building when the home warms and cools in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will examine all doors and windows during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for well-being homes

Heating Eastbourne

Eastbourne rental properties require a reliable source of heat that is able to heat the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it must be equipped with a thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a central heating source, such as heat pumps, it could need a top up in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Eastbourne

Each liveable space in the rental property should include at least one open doors or windows to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about acknowledging the fact that dry air will be more easy to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or skylight needs to be able to open to the outside, and stay set in an opening position to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will require suitable extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Eastbourne

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory to all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness as well as making it easier to the household to keep heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder area 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 below floor R 1.3

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

Eastbourne Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s often what you don’t see that could become a major issue that can cause damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from getting into the home. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Eastbourne

Property rental areas that are affected with the Healthy Homes Standards in Eastbourne include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Eastbourne for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to check in a home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental property home assessment.