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 now have to ensure that their Eastbourne rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll 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 details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes related fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, and are fully qualified for both 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, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on an Eastbourne rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be completed within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Eastbourne rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it is updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It’s also crucial to remember that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and request an house assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

Check out the complete details of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households rent in New Zealand and Eastbourne, and research indicates that rental homes tend to be colder, older and have less effective heating and tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative health results, specifically for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who have reported four or more major home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Improve the standard of Eastbourne rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and living because of illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping for Eastbourne rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Eastbourne

Draughts can 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 noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap or crack, then it’s likely a crack or hole which needs sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out from your house require to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

There is no need to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement of the building as the household heats and cools, so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will inspect all doors and windows as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Eastbourne

Eastbourne rental properties should have a permanent source of heating that can heat the largest or main living room to at least 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump it should include a thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a central heating source, such as an air conditioner, it might just require an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality because they’re expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Eastbourne

Each liveable space in a rental home must include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation quality is all about understanding how the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus are not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements to have the ability open to the outside while remaining set in an opening position, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your property with shower, bath cooker or any other humidity-generating items will need appropriate extractor fans that are vented to the outside. Our 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 of high moisture.

Find out all the details about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is a healthy house

Insulation Eastbourne

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory on all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure the insulation meets current quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and will also make much easier to the household to keep warmth.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation is able to resist 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 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Eastbourne Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually those things that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem that can cause damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the property. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Eastbourne

Rental property areas affected to The Healthy Homes Standards in Eastbourne include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Eastbourne for Rental Properties

There are many concerns you should look for in an house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy services ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today to book your rental properties home assessment.