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 are now required to make sure that their Eastbourne rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work needed to be completed. requirements to be completed, and provide an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’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 landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes associated fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re fully qualified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6791

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on an Eastbourne rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be taken care of within 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they can be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is signed. It should be kept updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It is crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for severe violations. Those who have more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and arrange to have a house inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households homes in New Zealand and Eastbourne, and research suggests that rental homes are most likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative well-being results, specifically for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who report four or more key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Improving the quality of Eastbourne rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and living because of illness. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs 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 as Draught-stopping for Eastbourne rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Eastbourne

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within households. A cold house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or a clear draught out of a hole or gap that is, it’s probably a gap or hole that needs sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from the house require the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement of the structure as the house warms and cools so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will test the windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Eastbourne

Rental properties in Eastbourne should have a permanent source of heat that is able to heat the living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to top up with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must have a thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source such as a heat pump, then it may require a top up to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the quality since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

See the full details on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Eastbourne

Every living space in a rental home must include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

The ventilation quality is all about recognising how the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable and do not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or Skylight requirements to have the ability open to the outside, and stay at an open angle, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your property with a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture-producing item will require proper extractor fan systems that vent to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Eastbourne

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory for all rent homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation is in line with current quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, as well as making an easier task to allow the home to retain heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values required for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of the 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 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

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and stop it from coming into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s typically what you don’t see that can become a big problem, causing the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete 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 Standard in Eastbourne include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Eastbourne for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to be able to examine in a house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenant services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice, call today to book your rental properties home assessment.