Healthy Homes Assessment Eastbourne

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that 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 rentals must be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks which needs to be done and offer the report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of 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 healthy homes associated fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental property, we are completely certified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed for an Eastbourne rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they may receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is identified 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.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct when the tenancy contract is completed, and should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It is important to remember that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and arrange to have a house assessment done for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households the property in New Zealand and Eastbourne, and research shows us that these rental homes are most likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating and are of lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who experience four or more key housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Enhancing the quality of Eastbourne rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and living due to diseases. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control in Eastbourne rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Eastbourne

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside households. A humid house costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a crack or a gap that is, it is likely a crack or crack that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out of your home need the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t require to block off holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow movement of the building as the home is heated and cools in order to let them be opened and closed rather than securing. We will check the windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for healthy houses

Heating Eastbourne

Eastbourne rental properties must have a fixed source of heating which can warm the main or largest living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it should include an thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a central heating source, like heat pumps, it may require an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Eastbourne

Each living space within a rental home must include at least one open window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about acknowledging that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and that a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or skylight needs for them to be in a position to open to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your property with shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need appropriate extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Eastbourne

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory in all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure the insulation meets the new quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and also makes more easy for the home to hold heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the 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

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically what you don’t see that could be a huge problem that can cause the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a place to go and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from rising into the home. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Eastbourne

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Eastbourne include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Eastbourne for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to check when conducting a house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have 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 on the wrong side of the tenant services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today and book your rental property house assessment.