Healthy Homes Assessment Eastbourne

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure their Eastbourne rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work needed to be completed. requirements to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes associated fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re fully certified to evaluate 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, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed for an Eastbourne rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be completed inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand 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 meet 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 existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they will be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out, so it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct when the tenancy agreement is signed. It is updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It is also crucial to note that landlords who have multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down only for serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and ask us to conduct a house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Eastbourne, and research has shown that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally have lower quality than the homes of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who report at least four major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the quality of Eastbourne rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of illness. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping on 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 are a major cause of dropping temperatures within households. A cold home costs more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a gap or hole, then it’s most likely a gap or crack that needs sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out of the home need seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched as much as possible.

There is no require to cover up holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure as the house heats and cools, to allow them to be opened and closed rather than securing. We will test all doors and windows during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Eastbourne

Rental properties in Eastbourne must have a fixed source of heat which can warm the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during 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 as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to top up with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it must have an thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source, such as a heat pump, then it could need a top up to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Eastbourne

Each living space within a rental home must have at least one openable door or window to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

The ventilation quality is all about understanding how the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or skylight needs for them to be in a position of opening to the outside, and stay at an open angle to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your property with shower, bath cooker or any other moisture-producing item will need proper extractor fan systems that are vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Eastbourne

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required to all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation is in line with current quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and it will make an easier task to the home to retain heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all part 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

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

Eastbourne Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water and prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is often the things you don’t notice that could become a major issue that can cause damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a place to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between floorboards and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps to prevent 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 by The Healthy Homes Standards in Eastbourne include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Eastbourne for Rental Properties

There are many concerns you should look for in a home review to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenancy services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property home assessment.