Healthy Homes Assessment Eastbourne

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? 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 renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work required. requirements to be done, and provide an assessment report that includes all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, and are fully certified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on an Eastbourne rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate when the tenancy contract is executed, and it should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It is crucial to keep in mind that landlords who have multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in massive fines as well as still being required to comply with the regulations. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and request an house assessment performed on your rental property.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households rent in New Zealand and Eastbourne, and research indicates that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative health results, specifically for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who reported four or more key home quality issues often suffer from 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 as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and living due to illnesses. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long run.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Eastbourne

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in households. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or a clear draught out of a hole or gap, then it is likely to be a gap or hole that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit into your home need to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as far as imaginable.

There is no need to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement within the building when the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will test every window and door in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Eastbourne

Eastbourne rental properties require a reliable heating source that can warm the main or largest living space to at least 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump then it must include an thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like small apartments an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a central heating source, such as the heat pump, it may require an update to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the standard because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Eastbourne

Each liveable space in the rental property should have at least one openable door or window to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation quality is all about acknowledging it is that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t living spaces and therefore don’t need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements to have the ability to open to the outside and remain set in an opening position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your property with shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will need appropriate extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is a healthy home

Insulation Eastbourne

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory on all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation meets current quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and it will make more easy to the home to keep heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest area 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

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

Eastbourne Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go, and stop it from coming inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble and cause damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have efficient drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Eastbourne

The areas of rental property that are affected by Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Eastbourne include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Eastbourne for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to look over in a house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenancy services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist assistance, get in touch today and book your rental properties home evaluation.