Healthy Homes Assessment Eastbourne

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure their Eastbourne rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about the work which needs to be completed and provide a report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’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 complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties and are fully qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6791

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on an Eastbourne rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be finished within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on the Eastbourne rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is who is letting the property which could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it must be updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It’s also important to note that a landlord who have several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and arrange to have an home assessment performed on your rental property.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households in New Zealand and Eastbourne, and research indicates that rental houses tend to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than the houses of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as heart diseases. In addition, people who have reported four or more major issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Improving the quality of Eastbourne rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Stopping on 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 may lead to less temperature in homes. A cold home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be 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 can feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap, then it is likely a crack or hole that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out from the house require seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t need to block off holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement within the building when the home heats and cools, so that they can still be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will test all doors and windows during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Eastbourne

Eastbourne rental properties must have a fixed source of heat that can heat the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if your current installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it must have the thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a central heating source, like a heat pump, then it might just require an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Eastbourne

Every living space in a rental home must have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about understanding how dry air will be easier to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t liveable , and thus are not require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or the skylight requirements to have the ability to open to the outside and remain at an open angle to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will need appropriate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Eastbourne

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required in all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation is in line with this new 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 house will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and will also make an easier task to allow the home to retain heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the quality of 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 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Eastbourne Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the inside but you must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s frequently those things that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue, causing damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the property. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Find out all the details of 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 The Healthy Homes Standard in Eastbourne include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Eastbourne for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to be able to examine during an house review to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert guidance, contact us today to book your rental properties house assessment.