Healthy Homes Assessment Eastbourne

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required 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 rental properties are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property and determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks which requirements to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes related fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, as well as fully certified to assess both 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, renewed or varied contract is signed on an Eastbourne rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the property manager does not supply the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is signed. It must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It is also crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved only for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct a home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households in New Zealand and Eastbourne, and research suggests that rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally have lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who reported four or more major housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

Improving the standard of Eastbourne rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and daily life because of health issues. Your investment is also secured 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 list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping on Eastbourne rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about receiving a Eastbourne Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Eastbourne

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within households. A cold house costs more to heat, which results in wasting money and energy.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole and you are able to feel it, it is most likely a gap or hole which requirements sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from the house require sealing. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no require to block off holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement within the building when the house heats and cools, to allow them to be opened and closed rather than securing. We will test all doors and windows in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Eastbourne

Rental properties in Eastbourne must have a fixed source of heat that can warm the living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether your current permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), then it must be equipped with an thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source, like the heat pump, it could require an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the standard as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

See the full details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Eastbourne

Every living space in a rental house must have at least one openable doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about acknowledging that dried air can be easier to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or skylight needs at least to open up to the outside and remain set in an opening position, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your property with shower, bath cooker or any other water-generating appliance will need proper extractor fan systems that vent out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Eastbourne

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required on all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure the insulation meets current standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, as well as making an easier task to allow the household to keep warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Eastbourne Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go and prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is often not apparent that it can become a big problem and end up causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have effective drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from getting into the home. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Eastbourne

The areas of rental property that are affected through the Healthy Homes Standards in Eastbourne include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Eastbourne for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to check during a house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For expert advice, call today to book your rental properties house evaluation.