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? The landlords are now required to ensure their Eastbourne rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of any work required. needs to be completed, and provide a report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re completely certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for an Eastbourne rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be current when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it is finished.

It is important to note that landlords who manage multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are reserved for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a house evaluation performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households in New Zealand and Eastbourne, and research has shown that these rental homes are most likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than the homes of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative health results, specifically for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. In addition, people who report four or more major home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the quality of Eastbourne rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower maintenance costs in the long run.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Eastbourne

Draughts can lead to less temperature in households. A damp home costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap that is, it is likely to be a gap or crack that needs sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out from your home require the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched whenever possible.

You don’t require to block off holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow movement of the building when the household warms and cools so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will inspect all windows and doors as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Eastbourne

Eastbourne rental properties must have a fixed source of heating that can heat the main or largest living space to at least 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it should have an thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, 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 could require an update to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard as they are either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Eastbourne

Every living space of a rental property has to include at least one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about acknowledging the fact that dry air will be less difficult to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or Skylight needs to have the ability to open up to the outside, and stay at an open angle to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your property with a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will need adequate extractor fans which are vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Eastbourne

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required to all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation meets current quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and it will make much easier to the house to retain 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 insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder part of 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

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Eastbourne Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s typically what you don’t see that can become a big problem that can cause damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water is able to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from entering the home. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor 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 through The Healthy Homes Standard in Eastbourne include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Eastbourne for Rental Properties

There are many things to check in an house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a tenant services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For professional advice, call today and book your rental property home evaluation.