Healthy Homes Assessment Eastbourne

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure that their Eastbourne rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to 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 can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks which needs to be completed, and offer an assessment report that includes all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes connected fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, as well as completely qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6791

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for an Eastbourne rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be finished within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they could receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or inaccurate 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 being the person leasing the property out, so it 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 completed, and must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It is also important to be aware that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are given for the most serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct a home inspection performed on your rental property.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Eastbourne, and research indicates that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who reported four or more key housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Improve the standard of Eastbourne rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and living due to diseases. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning 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 as Draught stopping for Eastbourne rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss the Eastbourne Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Eastbourne

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, which completed jobs in wasting money and energy.

If a draught can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or a clear draught out of a hole or gap that is, it’s most likely a gap or hole that needs sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out within your home require sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated as far as imaginable.

You don’t require to block gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for the movement of the building as the house gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will check the windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for well-being homes

Heating Eastbourne

Rental properties in Eastbourne require a reliable source of heat that can warm the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the existing permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump it should be equipped with a thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source, like a heat pump, then it may need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Eastbourne

Each living space within the rental property should include at least one open doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

The ventilation quality is about recognising how dry air will be less difficult to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t liveable and don’t need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will need adequate extractor fans that vent out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A dry and warm home is an ideal home

Insulation Eastbourne

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required on all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness as well as making more easy to allow the home to retain the heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest 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 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Eastbourne Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is frequently not apparent that it could become a major issue and cause damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have effective drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between your flooring and the ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor 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

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Eastbourne include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Eastbourne for Rental Properties

There are many things to look over when conducting the house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenant solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to book your rental property house assessment.